Kenny Atkinson provides update on Jarrett Allen

Cleveland Cavaliers head coachKenny Atkinson provided an update for injured center Jarrett Allen, and it was an encouraging one.

“He’s ramped it up in the last few days,” Atkinson said before Tuesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. “Trending positive, watched him yesterday on the court. I think we are in the last stage of getting him ready.”

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Allen has now missed nine games in a row, having first felt discomfort March 3rd against the Detroit Pistons. The team has described it as tendonitis, though there has been a bit of ambiguity since it was first thought to be a banged knee. But his impending return would be a boon for the Cavs, who have missed the pick-and-roll dynamism and rim protection. That has not stopped the Cavs from finding ways to win games, however.

Evan Mobley has filled the role as center admirably with more confidence and force of late, though his inability to hit free throws leaves a lot to be desired. But the overarching theme is that his play is translating in a way that should persist even when his front court mate is back in the starting lineup.

“When he (Mobley) goes back to the four when Allen is back, I anticipate him playing better,” Atkinson continued. “I feel like post All-Star, Evan has just been a different character.”

Sure enough, Mobley is shooting nearly 10% better from the floor after the All-Star Break compared to prior while maintaining similar rebounds, steals, and blocks. The return of Allen will impede those numbers, surely, but the bigger question for Mobley has been aggressiveness and confidence. If that manages to continue even with Allen’s return, it would be a very positive development for the Cavs as they head toward the postseason.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kenny-atkinson-provides-jarrett-allen-232300667.html

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Publish date : 2026-03-24 23:23:00

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