Cavaliers big man back after 3 games

Toran Flores

•
Cavaliers big man returns to lineup after three-game absence image

TL;DR

  • Cleveland Cavaliers face Atlanta Hawks Friday, aiming for sixth game above .500.
  • Jarrett Allen returns from finger fracture; Darius Garland back from toe surgery.
  • Craig Porter Jr. remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Cleveland Cavaliers aim to recover from their defeat against the Toronto Raptors earlier this week. Cleveland's next game is against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday evening, marking the conclusion of their NBA Cup group stage matches.

Cleveland will look to go six games above.500 in Friday's contest.

The Cavaliers are set to welcome back two key players, Jarrett Allen (finger) and Darius Garland (injury management), to their starting lineup for Friday's game, according to insider Ethan Sands.

Allen, aged 27, sustained a fracture to his left ring finger during pre-game warmups in late October. Despite playing through the discomfort for a considerable time, the Cavaliers opted to sideline him for three games. 

The Cavaliers' center is posting averages of 14.8 points, 7.6 boards, and 1.9 dimes on 57.7% shooting over 14 contests this year. He's set to return to Cleveland's starting five on Friday, playing alongside Evan Mobley in the frontcourt.

Garland, 25, is continuing his recovery from offseason toe surgery, and the injury is clearly impacting his performance. His average points per game have dropped from 20.6 in 2024-25 to 13.4 over the course of five games this season.

Additional details indicated that Cleveland will be sidelined for a third consecutive game due to Craig Porter Jr.'s hamstring injury.

More NBA news:

Staff Writer