Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been diagnosed with a left ankle bone bruise after getting injured in training camp this week, the team announced.
Allen, who underwent an MRI to confirm the diagnosis, will begin undergoing treatment and going through a rehabilitation process and is expected to be reevaluated in two weeks, per the Cavs.
Cleveland’s regular season opener is still 18 days away, so it’s possible Allen will be cleared to play in that game. However, the club’s announcement simply says he’ll be reevaluated in two weeks — not that he’ll necessarily be ready to return at that point.
Allen is a key contributor for a Cavs team looking to build upon last season’s 51-31 record and first-round playoff exit. If he’s not cleared for opening night, the team will hope his absence doesn’t extend too far beyond that. Last season, the 25-year-old averaged 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 32.6 minutes per night across 68 appearances (all starts).
Damian Jones and Tristan Thompson are Cleveland’s backups at the 5, but it’s possible that if Allen isn’t good to go for the opener, the team would slide Evan Mobley over to center and use a smaller starting five rather than inserting Jones or Thompson into that group.