Cavs Center Jarrett Allen Ruled Out vs. Celtics with Knee Injury

Cleveland will also likely get some players back, but will be without key contributors against Boston.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics due to a right knee injury. Allen missed practice for the second straight day and was described as having "a little soreness" by head coach Kenny Atkinson, who said he's not concerned about the injury long-term. The Cavs could get Donovan Mitchell and Dean Wade back, but will be without Max Strus, Tyrese Proctor, Riley Minix, and Olivier Sarr.

Why it matters

Jarrett Allen's absence is a significant blow for the Cavaliers, as he is a key part of their frontcourt rotation. The team will need to find ways to replace his production against a tough Celtics squad as they look to keep pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The details

Allen suffered the knee injury in Tuesday's game against the Detroit Pistons when he collided with an opponent's knee while going for a rebound. He was ruled out midway through the third quarter and has not practiced since. While Allen did some individual drills, he did not participate in full team activities on Saturday. The Cavaliers are hopeful the injury is not serious, with coach Atkinson saying he's not concerned about it long-term.

  • Allen was injured this past Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.
  • Allen missed practice on both Friday and Saturday.

The players

Jarrett Allen

The Cleveland Cavaliers' starting center who has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics due to a right knee injury.

Kenny Atkinson

The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who provided an update on Jarrett Allen's injury status.

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers' star guard who is listed as probable to return from a right groin strain that has kept him out of the last four games.

Dean Wade

The Cavaliers' forward who is also listed as probable to play despite a nagging right ankle sprain.

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What they’re saying

“He's still got a little soreness. We'll get the feedback from today and see where he is. But, like I said [Friday], not concerned about long-term.”

— Kenny Atkinson, Head Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will continue to monitor Jarrett Allen's progress and provide updates on his recovery timeline. The team is hopeful he will be able to return to action soon, but his status for future games remains uncertain.

The takeaway

Jarrett Allen's injury is a setback for the Cavaliers, who will need to find ways to replace his production in the frontcourt against tough opponents like the Celtics. However, the team appears optimistic the injury is not serious, and they could get some key players back in the lineup as they look to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.