Jarrett Allen
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Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen during a game against the San Antonio Spurs in December 2025
The Cleveland Cavaliers will once again be without starting center Jarrett Allen as they try to regroup following a frustrating loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Allen has officially been ruled out for Tuesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to right knee tendonitis, according to the NBA’s official injury report. The absence will mark Allen’s sixth consecutive missed game as Cleveland continues to manage the nagging injury.
The Cavaliers are hoping to bounce back after a 130–120 defeat to Dallas on Sunday that cost them ground in the Eastern Conference standings.
Cavaliers Lose Ground in Standings
Sunday’s loss proved particularly costly for Cleveland.
Combined with the New York Knicks defeating the Golden State Warriors, the Cavaliers now trail New York by 2.5 games in the race for the No. 3 seed.
Cleveland will begin a three-game road trip Tuesday in Milwaukee before traveling to face the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans later in the week.
Allen’s next opportunity to return could come Thursday in Chicago, though the team has not provided a firm timeline for his return.
Kenny Atkinson Provides Injury Update
Before the loss in Dallas, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson offered an update on Allen’s recovery.
Atkinson described the injury as day-to-day but admitted there is still uncertainty about when the veteran center will return to the lineup.
“I still think it’s day-to-day,” Atkinson said via cleveland.com. “That’s where we are with it. I wish I could get more specific. But you know, I don’t anticipate this to be long-term.”
The coach added that Allen’s heavy workload earlier in the season may have contributed to the inflammation.
“He’s just working through some pretty severe tendonitis and sometimes it happens during the season,” Atkinson said. “Especially after the stretch he had and the usage he had. I’m thinking it’s just going to be this little break, and we’ll get him back in the mix pretty soon.”
Injury Raises Some Concern
Despite the optimistic tone from the coaching staff, there remains some uncertainty surrounding Allen’s recovery.
During an episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor noted that the injury could be slightly more concerning than initially expected.
“I think it’s mildly concerning,” Fedor said. “I talked to Jarrett last night in Dallas, and he said he really doesn’t know when he’s going to be back, that it is a true day-to-day situation.”
Allen has been one of Cleveland’s most consistent players this season.
Through 53 games, the 27-year-old center has averaged 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals, serving as a defensive anchor and key interior presence for the Cavaliers.
Mavericks Hand Cavaliers Tough Loss
Cleveland’s loss to Dallas highlighted the challenges the team faces while shorthanded.
Top pick Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 27 points, while Naji Marshall added 25 points as Dallas snapped a seven-game losing streak against Cleveland.
P.J. Washington contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Mavericks pull away in the second half after the teams were tied throughout much of the opening half.
Cleveland was led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 26 points, while Max Strus added 24 points in his season debut after missing the first 67 games recovering from a broken foot.
However, the Cavaliers committed 16 turnovers, which the Mavericks converted into 25 points, a key factor in the defeat.
Dallas eventually pushed the lead to 21 points in the fourth quarter before Cleveland mounted a late rally that ultimately fell short.
Cavaliers Hope Allen Returns Soon
As Cleveland prepares for a difficult stretch of road games, Allen’s absence continues to be a significant factor.
The Cavaliers have relied heavily on their depth in the frontcourt while the veteran center recovers, but his rim protection and rebounding remain vital to the team’s defensive identity.
For now, Cleveland can only hope the “day-to-day” diagnosis holds true and that Allen will be able to return before the road trip ends.
The Cavaliers will try to regroup Tuesday in Milwaukee while awaiting further updates on their starting center’s status.