Jarrett Allen hints that he isn’t part of Cavs’ Big 3

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has been a key piece in the team’s recent playoff runs, and he just had a strong showing in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Detroit Pistons.

However, Allen doesn’t appear to consider himself a part of the team’s “Big 3.”

Allen recently discussed how the team has grown since the 2023 NBA Playoffs when it lost to the New York Knicks in the first round in five games, and he explained what his role is on the Cavs in the 2025-26 season.

“We all have grown,” Allen said of both the Cavs and Knicks, per Cleveland.com. “We have all gone down different roads and paths to improve as players. Now we’re meeting in a different environment with heightened stakes in the conference finals. I’m experienced. I have experience going through the playoffs, playing against a lot of different people, teams like this with Detroit and others, learning how to give it my all at all times.

“My job is to be as consistent as possible every time I step on the floor. Try to give that energy and give that spark. Is it easy every single night? No. But that’s my job for this team. Be a bridge between the Big 3 and everybody else that comes on the court.”

Allen has been solid in the playoffs for the Cavs, averaging 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game (in 14 games) while shooting 64.5 percent from the field. During the regular season, the former All-Star averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, so his production has dipped a bit with the competition getting tougher.

Still, the Cavs made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in the Donovan Mitchell era thanks in part to a huge game from Allen on Sunday, as he scored 23 points and shot 8-for-14 from the field. He also had a huge performance in Game 7 of the first round, when he finished with 22 points and 19 boards.

Allen seems to view Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden as the team’s “Big 3,” but it’s hard not to include him as a vital part of the Cavs’ core.

Cleveland has come up short in the playoffs several times in the last few seasons, losing in five games to the Knicks in the first round (2023) before exiting in five games in the second round against the Boston Celtics (2024) and Indiana Pacers (2025). So, this playoff run is the deepest that the Cavs have gotten with Allen, Mitchell and Mobley leading the way.

Hopefully, the addition of Harden (acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers) helps the Cavs get over the hump against a Knicks team that has won seven playoff games in a row.

New York swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, so the Cavs will have their hands full in this series.

Allen should be a key piece for Cleveland against New York, as the Knicks feature two solid centers in Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns. After coming up short against the Knicks a few seasons ago, Allen seems to be focused on making a consistent impact for Cleveland to give it a chance to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2018.