Apr 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and center Jarrett Allen (31) celebrate during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Cavaliers Star Ruled Out During Spurs Game

Originally posted on San Antonio Spurs on SI
By Matt Guzman | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 9:56 PM ET

SAN ANTONIO — The Cleveland Cavaliers' second-half rotation looked slightly different without one of their starters. It wasn't due to injury, however.

The San Antonio Spurs played host to the Cavaliers in their sixth-to-last game of the regular season, and while the Western Conference Play-In is nearly out of reach, the same can't be said for the stakes of their visitors.

Cleveland has a chance to clinch the East's No. 1 seed with a win and a Boston Celtics loss Friday evening. Critical to that effort was star big man Jarrett Allen — for the first half, at least.

#Cavs Jarrett Allen did not start the 2nd half against San Antonio. This was a planned organizational compromise, allowing Allen to keep his goal of playing in all 82 games while also getting him some end-of-season rest. Allen spoke with trainers & coaches about it earlier.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) April 5, 2025

Allen headed to the locker room with the rest of his teammates at halftime, but when both squads came back, he was no longer set to play. Per the Cavaliers broadcast, Allen had a goal of playing all 82 games this season, but ran into an obstacle when the team insisted on late-season rest.

As a result, Allen and his coaching staff found a compromise.

HALFTIME.

HIGHLIGHTS & STATS : https://t.co/FbbqY7S05f @betwayusa | #LetEmKnow
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 5, 2025

At the half, Allen logged four points, four rebounds and three assists. San Antonio is led by Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle, who both reached 20 points by the fourth quarter.

With a loss, the Spurs will fall five games behind the No. 10-seeded Sacramento Kings with only five games to play as the end of their regular season draws nearer.

This article first appeared on San Antonio Spurs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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