Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen Rises To Occasion Against Reigning NBA MVPs

Cleveland's center has helped lead the Cavaliers to a four-game winning streak, with strong performances against Denver's Nikola Jokić and Philadelphia's Joel Embiid.

When Cleveland Cavaliers starting center Jarrett Allen missed the first five games of the season due to injury, Cleveland went 2-3.

However, the Cavaliers have gone 6-3 since his return, and have won their last four games.

In Cleveland’s last two contests, Allen had to face the last three NBA MVPs: Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (twice) and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

And Cleveland’s big man rose to the occasion.

This past Sunday, Allen recorded season-highs of five assists and a +42 plus/minus in the Cavaliers’ 121-109 victory over the defending NBA Champions. He scored 13 points in the third quarter, during which he tallied his 5,000th career regular season point.

He also helped hold Jokić to under 20 points for the first time this season.

Then, Allen recorded season-highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds, his first double-double this season, this past Tuesday. He also made the eventual game-winning baby hook with 18 seconds remaining in Cleveland’s 122-119 overtime victory over Philadelphia.

And, Allen helped make Embiid shoot just 42.9% from the field.

Nov 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center / © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

After the Philadelphia game, Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Allen’s ability and attitude.

“I mean, Jarrett’s a hell of a player in a lot of different ways. He’s fearless, he takes challenges, he knows how to impact the game on both ends of the floor. And, again, he does it for his teammates. There’s not a selfish bone in his body. He knows he’s got to do a job, a lot of times it’s a thankless job. They don’t put stops in a stat sheet. They don’t put denials in a stat sheet. But he knows what’s necessary to help us win, and he goes out and does it.”

With these strong recent performances, Allen is certainly returning to his All-Star caliber form.