Jarrett Allen ruled out from Game 6 against Orlando Magic

Cleveland Cavaliers will play Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Orlando Magic without center Jarrett Allen, who is out for the second consecutive game Friday night due to an injury to his rib. 

Allen, probably the Cleveland Cavaliers best player in the series, also missed Game 5, which Cleveland won 104-103 at home on Tuesday. He was hurt after taking an elbow to the ribs in the second half of last weekend's 23-point road defeat in Game 4. Cleveland leads the Eastern Conference series 3-2 and can wrap it up with a win Friday night over the Magic, who won Games 3 and 4 at home by a combined 61 points. 

If necessary, Game 7 would take place on Sunday in Cleveland. Jarrett Allen traveled with the squad to Orlando, but his status remained unknown 90 minutes before kick-off. "We'll see," Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff replied when asked if the 6-foot-11 center would play. 

According to AP News When questioned about the team's concerns about playing Allen, Bickerstaff said, “It’s his safety always,” “When you have an injury to your core, your ability to change directions, get out of the way, move freely, play in the trenches like he does. We’ll always look out for Jarrett.”

Marcus Morris took charge in Game 5 

Allen has been Cleveland's most consistent player in the series, with an average of 17 points and 13.8 rebounds across four games. With Allen out in Game 5, the Cavaliers moved forward Evan Mobley to center, starting Isaac Okoro, and gave reserves Tristan Thompson and Marcus Morris Sr. additional playing time. 

Morris provided a significant boost to the team off the bench in Game 5, scoring 12 points. With a victory on Friday, Cleveland, which leads the first-round series 3-2, may make history by going to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2018.