Jarrett Allen Second Round Availability in Question Due To Rib Injury

Jarrett Allen, the center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is currently dealing with a painful rib contusion, which has caused him to miss the last three games, including a pivotal Game 7 victory over the Orlando Magic. The injury occurred during Game 4 after a collision with Franz Wagner. Rib contusions can be extremely painful and are known to cause significant discomfort and limitations, particularly in activities that involve raising the arms.

In the NFL, it's common for medical personnel to be available before every game, and players with similar injuries might undergo a "rib block" — a procedure to numb the area to allow them to play through the pain. 

However, the situation is different in the NBA. While playoff teams typically have doctors travel with them, NBA players are not always inclined to undergo a rib block due to the challenges of playing through such an injury in basketball. Activities such as raising arms overhead are crucial in basketball, especially for a player like Allen, who specializes in rebounding and had an impressive 20 rebounds in Game 2 of the first round.

Allen is expected to return within the series, with a slight chance he could come back as early as Game 1, if he can manage the pain effectively. However, his ability to perform at his usual level might be compromised until he fully recovers from the injury.