Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen admits he's still dealing with a knee injury that sidelined him for 10 straight games in March.
"A little pain," Allen said of the ailment Thursday, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. "It's not going to go away immediately. That's something that's going to have to linger for a while. It's enough where I can play at a high level, I believe."
Sources characterized the injury as severe tendinitis, according to Fedor. It initially flared up March 3 against the Detroit Pistons.
With the Cavs locked into the East's fourth seed, the team also held Allen out for three of its final five regular-season contests. Allen says the additional rest helped, but he doesn't anticipate his knee will be back at full strength anytime soon.
"I'd be lying if I said I would expect it to be 100%," Allen said. "I don't think anybody will be 100% going into the playoffs. That's just how it is. That's my very political answer to not give you a yes or no.
"But I think it's definitely something I'm going to have to deal with and manage. Get treatment before and take the medicine that I'm supposed to to try to be at my best."
Allen enjoyed another solid campaign for the Cavs, averaging 15.4 points, 8.5 boards, 1.8 assists, and one steal across 56 appearances. He ranked fifth in the Association in field-goal percentage (63.8%) and 10th in total rebound percentage (17.2%). Cleveland scored 3.5 more points per 100 possessions with Allen on the floor.
The Cavaliers will take on the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs. Game 1 tips off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.
