Jarrett Allen's Historic Game 7 Performance Secures Cavaliers' Playoff Advancement
Allen becomes the second player in franchise history to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a Game 7, leading Cleveland to a 114-102 victory.
Cleveland Cavaliers centre Jarrett Allen delivered a career-defining performance in Game 7, scoring 22 points and grabbing 19 rebounds to secure a decisive 114-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors. This historic double-double made Allen the second player in franchise history to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a Game 7, a feat previously achieved only by LeBron James in 2018.
The win advances the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face the Detroit Pistons starting Tuesday. The series narrative was heavily influenced by the absence of Magic guard Franz Wagner, who missed Game 7 due to a calf injury, a factor that proved decisive for Orlando in their own recent campaign. For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes led the way with 24 points and nine rebounds, while RJ Barrett scored 23 points in the defeat.
Allen's pregame demeanour was notably more intense than usual, contrasting with his typical laid-back interaction with the crowd during warmups. Coach Kenny Atkinson expressed surprise at Allen's heightened energy and enthusiasm, noting he was "flying around" and ready for the moment. The ninth-year centre became the first player in franchise history to achieve a double-double in a playoff quarter, recording 14 points and 10 rebounds in the third quarter alone.
The Cavaliers' 11-2 run in the third quarter shifted momentum significantly, putting them ahead 87-68 with 12 minutes remaining. Allen missed most of March due to right knee tendinitis but averaged 28.5 minutes, 11.4 points, and 8.3 rebounds across the series to ensure his availability for this elimination game. His performance included five offensive boards, one steal, and a blocked shot as he played the entire third quarter.
While most of the attention remains on Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, the Cavaliers received big contributions from others throughout the series. Strus had 24 points in Game 1, Evan Mobley had 23 points in Game 2 and 25 points in Game 5, while Dennis Schroder had 19 points in 21 minutes in Game 5. All of those were Cavaliers victories, highlighting the team's depth beyond their star duo.
The first game of the second round between Cleveland and Detroit is scheduled for Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena. The Cavaliers will look to replicate the energy that defined their first-round campaign, a run that saw the home team win all seven games, a rare occurrence in the playoffs. Allen's statement that "Energy and effort: That's what I believe win games" underscores the collective commitment required for the next stage.
