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The Cleveland Cavaliers’ growing list of injuries added another key name on Thursday when the team announced that center Jarrett Allen suffered a fractured left ring finger during Wednesday’s 125-105 loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Team medical staff examined Allen after the game, and an X-ray taken Thursday morning at the Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine confirmed a non-displaced fracture of his distal phalanx. The Cavaliers said Allen will undergo a series of treatments and evaluations over the next several days and will be listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. According to Cavaliers insider Chris Fedor, Allen’s injury occurred during pregame warmups, about an hour before tipoff in Boston. The All-Star big man felt discomfort but chose to play through the pain without any wrap or protective support. He finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. The extent of the injury was not known until Thursday’s tests revealed the fracture. More NBA news: Cavaliers Extend Winning Streak While Depth Takes Another Hit More NBA news: Cavaliers’ Darius Garland Teases Return Date Amid Comeback Buzz Although the fracture is considered minor and surgery is not required, Allen will have to manage swelling and pain in the coming weeks. His condition will be evaluated daily to determine whether he can play through the injury or needs additional rest. A non-displaced fracture means the bone remains aligned, but it can still cause lingering soreness and grip issues for a player who relies heavily on hand strength for rebounding and interior defense. Allen’s absence would be another major setback for a Cavaliers team already dealing with a series of injuries to its key contributors. Guards Darius Garland and Max Strus remain sidelined as they recover from offseason toe and foot surgeries. Shooting guard Sam Merrill is also dealing with a right hip contusion that kept him out of the loss in Boston. Merrill had been one of Cleveland’s early-season bright spots, averaging 17.3 points on 52 percent shooting from the field and over 51 percent from beyond the arc before the injury. To make matters worse, Donovan Mitchell was added to the injury report just hours before Wednesday’s game, listed as questionable with left hamstring tightness. Mitchell played through the discomfort and scored a team-high 25 points against the Celtics, but his health will be closely monitored heading into Friday’s home matchup, where he remains questionable against the Raptors. The Cavaliers, now 3-2, began the season with three straight wins following an opening-night loss to the New York Knicks, but Wednesday’s defeat snapped their winning streak and exposed some of the challenges facing the undermanned roster. With Allen potentially sidelined, Cleveland will likely rely more on Evan Mobley to anchor the paint. The 24-year-old forward has already taken on an expanded offensive role this season and may see increased touches in Allen’s absence. Cleveland’s upcoming schedule offers some relief, with four of its next five games at home. That stretch could allow the Cavaliers to stabilize their rotation and regain some rhythm as players work their way back from injury. Still, the team’s margin for error is shrinking. Allen’s steady presence has been one of the defining features of Cleveland’s defense since he arrived from Brooklyn in 2021. His rim protection, rebounding, and efficient scoring around the basket have been vital to the Cavaliers’ identity. Losing him, even briefly, would significantly impact a frontcourt that already relies heavily on its size and interior defense. The Cavaliers are hoping for positive updates in the coming days, but for now, the focus will be on managing the injury wave that has hit the team early in the season. With Garland, Strus, Merrill, Allen, and possibly Mitchell all battling ailments, Atkinson’s challenge will be keeping Cleveland competitive while waiting for his roster to get healthy. More NBA news: Cavaliers’ Darius Garland Launches Off Court, a New Athlete-Driven Platform
