That was the underwhelming stat line posted by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen — a borderline All-Star this year and starting big man for a 64-win team. For the second time in three seasons, Allen failed to rise to the occasion in the playoffs. The one year in between? He was sidelined by injury.
To be fair, the Cavaliers didn’t lose their second-round series to the Indiana Pacers solely because of Allen. Darius Garland’s injury played a major role — he missed the first two games and was a shadow of himself afterward. The Pacers also benefited from hot shooting, while the Cavaliers went ice cold. If you’re looking for one player to blame, Ty Jerome’s struggles were far more glaring.
Still, Allen hasn’t been the answer.
Despite how much the franchise values Allen — having built a contender with him as a central figure — the playoffs have exposed his inability to elevate when it matters most. Under postseason pressure, Allen is solid but not spectacular. As Draymond Green once put it, he may be an “82-game player,” not a “16-game player.”
Allen’s regular-season contributions — consistent interior defense, efficient finishing, and reliable pick-and-roll play — were vital to one of the league’s best offenses. He played an important, though not starring, role.
But in the playoffs, his impact fades. His consistency starts to look more like passivity, and his rebounding — a critical need for this Cavaliers squad — often falls short. Losing the rebounding battle to elite rebounders like Mitchell Robinson or Isaiah Hartenstein is one thing. Losing it to Myles Turner, who isn’t known for dominating the glass, is harder to excuse.
Evan Mobley has emerged as a Top-20 player and the Defensive Player of the Year, while expanding his offensive game. But rebounding remains his biggest weakness. The team’s smaller guards don’t help on the boards, Max Strus is undersized for his position, and De’Andre Hunter doesn’t bring much rebounding off the bench.
That leaves Allen with a responsibility he only sometimes fulfills. He’s adequate on the boards during the regular season — but when the stakes rise in the playoffs, “adequate” doesn’t cut it. His shortcomings are magnified in the postseason, and his strengths don’t lift the team when they need it most.
Time for a new direction in Cleveland?
Koby Altman and the front office may choose continuity — after all, this team won 64 games, and a healthy Garland might have changed the outcome against Indiana. Had Garland been fully fit, the Cavaliers could be favored over the Knicks right now and possibly heading to the Finals.
But long-standing trade rumors and internal debates could finally lead to a shake-up this summer. Allen, despite his value, might be moved. Plenty of teams could use a dependable starting center. The Cavaliers could pursue a star or trade Allen for two quality role players at different positions.
All signs suggest change is coming, and Allen appears to be the most likely departure. If so, his nine-point, four-rebound, two-turnover performance might be his final game in a Cavaliers uniform — a disappointing way for his tenure to end.