The Cleveland Cavaliers are still trying to go more than a week without one of their core players being sidelined. Sadly, they’ll have to try again after Jarrett Allen was listed as questionable with an illness before Sunday’s afternoon game against the Detroit Pistons.
It’s certainly possible Allen will play anyway. But the 2 PM start time doesn’t give him much time to kick this illness to the curb. On the other hand, an earlier start could benefit Allen as a usual 7 PM game could be harder to stay
awake for if he’s dealing with an illness. In this case, he can take care of business and then sleep the rest of the day.
Sam Merrill and Dean Wade are both listed as questionable as well. Merrill missed the last game with a left ankle sprain, while Wade is out with a knee contusion. Larry Nance Jr. and Max Strus remain out.
Cleveland has just started to turn their season around as they have gotten healthy. They’ve won five of their last seven games and have a chance for a statement win over the Pistons. That gets a lot harder if they are potentially without Allen, Wade and Merrill.
Allen isn’t the first Cavalier to suffer an illness this season. De’Andre Hunter missed Cleveland’s New Year’s Eve game against the Phoenix Suns due to a sickness. It seems like something has been going around the locker room. Let’s hope no one else gets sick.
The Cavs still have enough talent to compete even if Allen, Merrill and Wade are out. The trio of Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland should give them a fighter’s chance against the best team in the Eastern Conference. Finding a way to win this game would be the clearest indicator yet that the Cavaliers have emerged from their slumber and are ready to be contenders again in 2026.
