Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen ramping up activities, expected to return soon

CLEVELAND — Many expected to see Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen in the lineup by now, but he was once again held out of the Orlando game Tuesday. He has been sidelined for nine consecutive games with right knee tendinitis after bumping knees with a Detroit player March 3. It's all about to change for the 6-foot-11, 248-pounder. "He's been ramping up the last few days," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. "He's trending positively. I watched him on the court with contact (Monday). He's in the last stage of getting ready. I anticipate him playing in the next couple games." Cleveland hosts Miami today and Friday. If there are no setbacks, Allen should be in the lineup in one of those games. In Allen's absence, Evan Mobley has averaged 21.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.00 blocks in his last 11 games. He's also shooting .610 from the field during that span, 12th best in the NBA. The 7-foot, 230-pounder is ranked third in the league and second in the Eastern Conference in blocks per game at 1.88. He is the first Cavs player averaging at least 1.80 blocks per game in a season since Zydrunas Ilgauskas in 2004-05 (2.12). "Evan is playing with more confidence and force," Atkinson said. "I anticipate him playing better. His offensive rebounding rate has shot up. I don't know why that can't continue with JA." When Allen returns, expect the Cavs to find him early and often. When Mobley was sidelined with a calf injury earlier in the season, Allen played the best stretch of basketball of his career. "We'll feed him early and appreciate him," Atkinson said. "It was a good lesson for me." Allen isn't the only regular sidelined. Swingman Jaylon Tyson has missed the last two games with a sprained left big toe. He practiced Monday with the Cavs, but the toe bothered him and he was pulled out. "It's very short-term," Atkinson said. "It's a pain tolerance thing. I anticipate him being back soon." Point guard James Harden's broken right thumb still isn't completely healed, yet he hasn't acknowledged it. "He hasn't mentioned it," Atkinson said. "I haven't even asked him about it. He doesn't want to draw attention to it." Harden has made the Cavs a better team, the coach said. "That's my amateur observation," Atkinson said. "It's been a 10 out of 10." Harden has brought leadership, poise, confidence and stability to the team, the coach said. "It's been a super positive experience," he said. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.