The season starts tonight in Philadelphia, and Jarrett Allen was added to the injury report Wednesday with a right knee issue. Sam Merrill is cleared, Diop is out, and Donovan Mitchell's line about never wearing another uniform has the whole beat talking.
Will Jarrett Allen play tonight?
Nobody has confirmed it. He went on the report Wednesday with a right knee issue, and the listing projects him back for tonight. Until he takes the floor, that projection is the only sign he plays. Cleveland.com's Ethan Sands wrote that the Cavs could be without a key big man in the opener. Allen averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds last season, so if he sits, the rebounding takes the biggest hit.
Who covers the frontcourt if Allen sits?
Not Diop. His status was downgraded to out Wednesday with a left knee issue, and he is projected back Saturday against the Nets. Tomlin is also out with a back injury. Hoops Rumors put that at three to four weeks at least, and his target date is November 16. That leaves Evan Mobley, Thomas Bryant and rookie Ernest Udeh Jr. as the healthy centers on the roster.
What did Mitchell say, and does it matter?
Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor published a long piece tracing Mitchell's path from Knicks rumors to playoff breakthroughs, built around his line, 'I don't ever want to wear another uniform.' Hoops Rumors picked it up the same day. This fan base has watched stars walk out before, so that's the sentence it wanted to hear. Mitchell makes $50.1 million, tied with Mobley for the biggest deal on a $209.0 million payroll.
What should worry Cleveland about Philadelphia?
The 76ers are already 1-0. They have Tyrese Maxey, who averaged 28.3 points last season, plus Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. Joel Embiid scored 26.9 a game last season but played only 38 games. Nick Nurse's team has played twice in the last seven days, while Cleveland comes in on eight days of rest. The Cavs should have the fresher legs, and they need to use them.
When do the Cavaliers open the 2026-27 season?
Tonight, October 22, against the 76ers in Philadelphia, on ESPN. The home opener is Saturday, October 24, against the Nets.
Is Jarrett Allen playing in the Cavs opener?
He is on the injury report with a right knee issue and is projected back for tonight. His availability has not been confirmed.
