The Cleveland Cavaliers were without several key players in their season-ending Game 5 loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday, May 15.

Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, and Craig Porter were among the players sidelined for Cleveland during the game, which they lost 113-98.

Allen caused frustration among some of his teammates and staff members who felt he could have done more to try to play in games amid his ongoing rib injury.

The 26-year-old reportedly refused an injection to try and numb the pain and play against the Celtics, according to a report by Shams Charania, Joe Vardon, and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic.

Allen has not played for the Cavaliers since Game 4 of their seven-game first-round series against the Orlando Magic last April 27 due to a bruised rib.

Jarrett Allen remained healthy for most of the season

Allen had been relatively healthy throughout the season, playing in 81 consecutive games, including the playoffs, after missing the first five games of the 2023-24 regular season.

However, the 2022 NBA All-Star sustained an initial injury to his ribs during Game 1 of the first round against Orlando, and in Game 4 of that series, Magic forward Franz Wagner's elbow exacerbated the injury.

The Cavs center was listed as questionable for every game for the remainder of their postseason run but did not see any action.