Cavs Rumors: Jarrett Allen Has 'Pierced' Rib Injury; Uncertain for Game 6 vs. Magic

Cleveland Cavaliers starting center Jarrett Allen suffered a "pierced" rib during a collision with the Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner in Game 4, according to The Athletic's Joe Vardon.

Allen was sidelined for Tuesday's Game 5 and could miss Game 6 in Orlando, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.)

The Cavs center suffered the injury when he was elbowed by Wagner, Vardon reported.

Any extended absence from Allen will be a blow to the Cavaliers' hopes of closing out the first-round series in six games. He was averaging 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds through the first four games of the series.

Allen had been all but unstoppable at the glass, pulling down 38 rebounds through the first two games of the series.

He did not participate in practice Thursday, per Tom Withers of the Associated Press, although Cleveland reporter Evan Dammarell said the injured center "did some individual work on the side."

Despite his uncertain status, Allen still plans to travel to Orlando for Game 6, Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters Thursday.

The Cavaliers won Game 5 to take a 3-2 first-round series lead without Allen, but his loss was immediately noticeable as the Magic out-rebounded the Cavaliers, 43-39.

Cleveland sports reporter Josh Poloha noted that Wagner appeared to elbow Allen on Saturday seven minutes into the third quarter of the Magic's Game 4 victory. Allen seemed to be in discomfort after the contact.

The Cavaliers originally described Allen's injury as a "bruised rib" when scratching him shortly before Game 5.

Cleveland won despite the late scratch in large part due to Evan Mobley, who stepped up in Allen's absence to lead the team in rebounds and make a critical last-second block on Wagner.

Cleveland is hoping to make it past the first round for the first time since their trip to the NBA Finals in 2018.

In order to achieve that goal, the Cavaliers will either need Allen to return, or for Mobley to step up again in his absence, in order to hold off Paolo Banchero and the Magic in Game 6.