As of typing, the Cleveland Cavaliers have 15 games remaining in the 2025-26 NBA season. That means they have limited time to get healthy and back into the swing of things before the playoffs begin. Thankfully, head coach Kenny Atkinson believes that none of the players currently on the injury report will be out for long.

“I don’t anticipate this to be long-term,” said Atkinson on Jarrett Allen’s recent injury. “He’s just working through some pretty severe tendonitis, and sometimes it happens during the season, especially after the stretch he had and the usage he had, so I’m thinking it’s just going to be this little break, and we’ll get him back in the mix pretty soon.”

Allen has been sidelined since March 3rd with knee tendonitis. He previously averaged 22.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in February. His efforts on both ends of the floor helped Cleveland turn their season around. Now, he’s trying to heal up before the next stage of the season begins.

Atkinson gave a similar update for Sam Merrill, who was listed as out today against the Dallas Mavericks with a hamstring injury. It will be Merrill’s second consecutive missed game.

“Again, I don’t think it’s long-term,” said Atkinson. “Soft tissue injuries, I would say we’re conservative with those. Me and Sam have had conversations, and I really just push him like, we cannot have this thing lingering, it’s two weeks before the playoffs, and we’re like, can we get it right now and get it close to 100% as possible?”

No one can blame the Cavs for being careful with their health entering the home stretch of the season. They have bigger goals in mind, and being as healthy as possible is one of the top priorities now.