The Cleveland Cavaliers failed to progress past the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. For one, they ran into the mighty Boston Celtics, who ended up winning the title.
The Cavs won just a game in the Celtics series, though, they probably could have stolen at least one more victory versus Boston if they had a healthy Jarrett Allen. The big man and former Texas Longhorns star missed the entire second round because of a rib injury — somewhat similar to what Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic dealt with in the NBA Finals against the Celtics. Unlike Allen, though, Doncic played through the pain.
It is also why many fans seem to think that when former Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Doncic recently for showing up to work on the court in the finals despite an injured rib, he was also taking a subtle shot at Allen.
Here’s what Bickerstaff said during a recent appearance on Sirius XM’s The Starting Lineup:
“This is the guy that was taking shots in his ribs so that he could go out and play, right? He was playing through pain. He wasn’t complaining. He was still playing 40 plus minutes, trying to go out and get it done.”
Former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff praises Luka Doncic for playing through pain
“This is the guy that was taking shots in his ribs so that he could go out and play, right? He was playing through pain. He wasn't complaining. He was still playing 40 plus minutes, trying to go out… pic.twitter.com/lVGwyt9zRB
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 18, 2024
For what it’s worth, Allen’s and Doncic’s injuries are similar but not exactly the same. Allen broke his rib, while Doncic’s injury is a thoracic contusion.
The Cavs fired Bickerstaff following the series loss to the Celtics and are still trying to find their next head coach as of this writing.
Fans react to ex-Cleveland Cavaliers head coach’s possible subtle shot at Allen
“This is such an obvious shot at Jarrett Allen lmao”
“Hard to play good defense when you’re just not healthy enough”
“Jarrett Allen catching strays ”
“Shot at Jarrett Allen???😂😂😂”
“JB sounds really unhappy with Jarrett Allen not playing though injury 🥶”
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