Jarrett Allen saved his best for the biggest stage. In his first career Game 7, the Cavaliers’ center delivered a monster performance that stamped his name alongside franchise legends. Yankee Scores reports.
A Night to Remember
Allen poured in 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in Cleveland’s 114‑102 win over Toronto, becoming only the second Cavalier ever with at least 20 points and 15 boards in a Game 7. The other? LeBron James with 35 points and 15 rebounds in Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference final against Boston Celtics.
For Allen, the moment was surreal. “It’s like, ‘I’m going to a Game 7, everything’s on the line.’ It’s just a different feeling that I’ve never experienced before. The crowd’s into it, I’m into it.” he said.
Dominant Third Quarter
After Cleveland’s 11-2 run to tie it at the half, Allen took over in the third. He posted 14 points and 10 rebounds in that quarter alone. He became the first player in franchise history to have double‑double in a playoff quarter. His energy fueled an 87‑68 lead heading into the fourth. One of his baskets during the quarter was a fast‑break dunk off a Max Strus steal to make it 74-59.
Coach Kenny Atkinson praised his effort, “He was flying around, enthusiastic, I was thinking, ‘What got into this guy?’ He was ready for the moment.”
Team Contributions
While Donovan Mitchell and James Harden drew headlines, Cleveland’s depth shined throughout the series.
Strus scored 24 in Game 1, Evan Mobley had 23 and 25 in Games 2 and 5, and Dennis Schroder added 19 off the bench in Game 5.
Toronto’s RJ Barrett acknowledged the challenge, “When Allen wants to go for 19 rebounds, yeah, that’s tough. Tt was Schroder before and in the first couple games, it was Strus. When they have that one guy show up, it’s tough,”
Looking Ahead
Allen missed much of March with a right knee tendinitis, but his resurgence has come at the perfect time.
The Cavaliers now advance to face the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 1 set for Tuesday.
Mobley summed it up perfectly “Every game is somebody else, and we’re going to need that night in and night out as we keep going.”
