Key Player Ruled Out For Thunder-Cavs Game

Jarrett Allen has been ruled out for Friday's game.

On Friday evening, the Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Ohio. 

They are coming off a 114-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets (at Barclays Center in New York) on Wednesday evening. 

However, the team played without 2022 All-Star Jarrett Allen, and he remains ruled out for Friday's contest.  

Via Underdog NBA: "Jarrett Allen (ankle) listed out for Friday."

Jarrett Allen (ankle) listed out for Friday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) October 26, 2023

Allen is the team's starting center and is coming off a year where he averaged 14.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 64.4% from the field.  

He was the 22nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Texas and has played for the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavs.

His career averages are 12.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest while shooting 63.0% from the field in 409 regular season games. 

The stage is set.@ClevelandClinic | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/uC0Ym7dbO4

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 27, 2023

Last year, the Cavs were the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51-31 record. 

They made the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season but lost to the New York Knicks in the first round (in five games). 

That said, the Cavs will still likely be among the best teams in the east this year. 

Four the Land. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/URkw3rKfOQ

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 27, 2023

Meanwhile, the Thunder played their first game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday evening in Illinois. 

They won by a score of 124-104, and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a fantastic night with 31 points, five rebounds, ten assists, one steal and two blocks in 36 minutes of playing time.