Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen Ruled Out for Play-In Game vs. Nets with Finger Injury

According to The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania, Cleveland big man Jarrett Allen will not play in the play-in game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday due to a fractured left finger.

Allen was injured on March 6.

Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that there was pessimism about Allen's availability for the play-in tournament. Fedor said that head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was preparing for Allen to be out.

Allen was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Cleveland Cavaliers last season and has become the team's starting center this year. In 56 regular-season games, he averaged a career-high 16.1 points and 10.8 rebound, in addition to 1.3 blocks, while shooting 67.7% from the floor.

The eighth place in the Eastern Conference was achieved by the Cavaliers, who finished the regular season with a 44-38 record. It will be their first appearance in the playoffs in a year.

With Allen out, the Cavs will rely on rookies Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert, and Darius Garland to carry the load. The team has some added depth with the additions of Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love, Cedi Osman and Lauri Markkanen.

It is possible that Ed Davis or Moses Brown will start in Allen's place. It is unlikely that Tacko Fall will start.

With Allen out, it will be difficult for the Cleveland to defeat the Nets. Brooklyn has yet to debut Ben Simmons, who was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in the James Harden deal, so things could have been a lot worse.