Jarrett Allen was virtually unstoppable on Sunday night, as he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 130-111 road win against the Portland Trail Blazers, having recorded 40 points (career-high), 17 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and four blocks on 16-for-23 shooting from the field and 8-for-12 shooting from the free throw line across 30 minutes of action.
According to Cleveland Cavaliers sideline reporter Serena Winters, Allen became the first player in NBA history to have a 40-15-5 game in under 30 minutes and the first in franchise history to have at least 40 points and 17 rebounds in a game.
“I can’t do it without the teammates. They fed me every single time. I’m not a guy that creates for myself. There’s a good energy on this team. We’re going for it, trying to do something, and they’re pushing me along,” Allen said in his postgame interview.
“I was just running. Sometimes, before the game, you can tell when your jump shot is going, even though I don’t shoot jump shots, it just feels right,” he added. “It feels good. I’ve been waiting for something like this.”
Cleveland Cavaliers News: Kenny Atkinson dishes on Jarrett Allen’s career night vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said during his postgame presser that they made a concerted effort to get Jarrett Allen more involved on the offensive end, especially with Evan Mobley on the sidelines, and it clearly worked.
“Best I’ve ever seen him play. I’ve seen him play a lot of games, that’s the best I’ve seen him. Not just the points, but the rebounds & the defense. He completely dominated the match,” Atkinson said of Allen.
“We keep pushing our guys to keep involving him. We’re all turning more that way. When he is involved, when he is touching it, you just get a different JA… His energy was off the charts. Someone told me it’s because he was in Portland, and he likes artsy cities, so maybe that’s it. He reminded me of Hakeem out there. Pivoting, left, right. That was a fundamental footwork clinic. He’s more skilled than I even think.”
