Jarrett Allen says he’s ‘alright’ after a first-quarter right knee injury in the Cavaliers’ loss at Oklahoma City

Jarrett Allen left Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after a first-quarter right knee injury, finished with no points and one rebound in seven minutes, and then said afterward he was fine as Cleveland fell 124-116 at Paycom Center.

“I’m alright,” #Cavs Jarrett Allen told @clevelanddotcom following tonight’s game — a game in which he was limited to 7 minutes following a first-quarter knee injuryhttps://t.co/YaHI8718ey

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) November 5, 2026

Allen’s postgame note, posted by Chris Fedor on X: “I’m alright.”

The collision came with 1:11 left in the first quarter. Allen was setting an off-ball screen near half court when Jared McCain tried to get over it and the two banged right knees. Allen went down holding the knee, raised a hand for a sub, then walked gingerly to the locker room after Sam Merrill fouled to stop play. Cleveland listed him doubtful to return, and he did not come back.

Jarrett Allen goes back to the locker room after a knee collision with Jared McCain (with replays) pic.twitter.com/1fXD8ChwFe

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) November 5, 2026

The knee collision and Allen heading off, with replays, posted on X.

#Cavs Jarrett Allen is DOUBTFUL to return with a right knee injury.

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) November 5, 2026

Allen ruled doubtful to return with a right knee injury, posted by Chris Fedor on X.

Optimistic tone, and a look Thursday

Coach Kenny Atkinson said Allen “gets wrapped and they collided knees,” and that the team would have the knee looked at Thursday after the flight home. Reporting from Oklahoma City described a more optimistic tone than the sight of Allen hobbling off suggested, and Allen himself kept the message short.

REPORT: There was an “optimistic tone” from Jarrett Allen and the Cavs locker room regarding the big man’s injury, per @ChrisFedor pic.twitter.com/DpuZItfe4N

— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) November 5, 2026

An optimistic tone from Allen and the locker room, posted on X citing Chris Fedor.

Allen had already been day-to-day with right knee issues once this season, on Oct. 21, and was cleared the next day. He has started every game for Cleveland, averaging 15.1 points on 63.1% shooting, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 assists in 27.9 minutes.

Already thin up front

The Cavaliers entered the night without Peyton Watson (hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (ankle), both working in Cleveland on return-to-play plans. Atkinson said before the game neither was a long-term concern. When Allen stayed out, Mario Hezonja started the second half with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Tyrese Proctor, who was filling in for Watson.

Mitchell led Cleveland with 27 points and six assists. Mobley had 10 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 with eight assists for Oklahoma City. The Cavaliers fell to 4-4 and host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, then the New York Knicks on Saturday. Allen’s status for that back-to-back will show up on the next official injury report.