Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Title Hopes Could Hinge on Jarrett Allen’s Health
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been fairly inconsistent throughout this entire season. Of course, a litany of injuries has played a massive role in this roller coaster of a season for the Cavs, but one injury seems to weigh the Cavs down more than others.
Jarrett Allen has felt like the odd man out in Cleveland’s rotation the last few years. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley always felt like the two cornerstones, while they hoped that Darius Garland and Allen could fit in as the next guys up in the starting lineup. We all know now that the Cavs felt that Garland wasn’t able to be consistent enough to be Mitchell’s backcourt partner, so they traded for James Harden.
His fit in Cleveland has been up-and-down, but when Harden has been paired with Jarrett Allen, it’s looked like a team that could contend in the East. Even before Harden made the move from LA, he had been playing some of the best basketball in his career. In the month of February, Allen averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.1 stocks a game, well above his season averages. He was doing this as the lone man in the front court with Mobley down with a calf injury.
Unfortunately, the season of injuries continues for Cleveland, as Allen has missed the last eight games with a knee injury, and the Cavs have looked pedestrian at best in his absence.
Allen has missed 20 games this season, and Cleveland has only been 11-9 in those outings. On the other hand, they’ve been 33-18 when he’s played, averaging 4 more points per game and higher offensive and defensive ratings.
Most importantly, Evan Mobley has been at his best playing next to a true center in Allen. Cleveland has a +10.3 NET rating when both are on the court and a +5 NET rating when only one is on the floor.
Cleveland still has good value at +260 to come out of the East.
If they can enter the playoffs healthy, they’re still my team to beat in the East. We’ve only gotten to see Mitchell, Harden, Mobley, and Allen together on the court for 31 minutes this year, but they’ve been a +28 NET rating with insanely elite offensive and defensive metrics as well. Then, when you add Sam Merrill to that mix, they’ve had a ridiculous offensive rating of 164 in those limited minutes.
Cleveland hasn’t looked like a contender this year; however, we haven’t seen them at full strength yet. Don’t count out the Cavs just yet; this team could be deadly if they make it to the playoffs in one piece.
Sports
Caddie fired after PGA starting-time gaffe finds new job
Jul 31, 2020; Truckee, CA, USA; Caddie Austin Gaugert during the second round of the Barracuda Championship golf tournament at Old Greenwood. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-Imagn Images The caddie who was fired after a late tee-time arrival at the PGA Championship is on a new bag this week.
Austin Gaugert gained notoriety when Garrick Higgo was a minute late to start his first round at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia two weeks ago.
Higgo was penalized two strokes and wound up missing the 36-hole cut at the major by just one shot. He fired Gaugert the following Monday and brought back former caddie Nick Cavendish-Pell.
Gaugert shouldered the responsibility for the controversial penalty following his dismissal.
“As a caddie, you try to do everything you can to prepare your player for competition and I fell short of that,” he wrote on Instagram. “Garrick was understanding throughout the situation and handled it with professionalism and class. This has happened to players before and will again. Garrick handled a difficult situation with grace, and I wish him nothing but success moving forward.”
Gaugert has moved forward. He is caddying this week for Dylan Wu at the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.
Wu, who missed the cut in his five previous events, opened with an even-par 70 at Colonial Country Club on Thursday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Steelers assistant coach out over violation of club policy
Jun 7, 2021; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers special teams coordinator Derius Swinton III during organized team activities at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Steelers and Derius Swinton II, a senior assistant coach for special teams, have split over a violation of club policy, ESPN reported Friday, citing league sources.
Swinton, 41, was hired in the offseason to the staff of new head coach Mike McCarthy for what was to be his 16th season in the NFL.
Swinton spent the past three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the interim special teams coordinator when Tom McMahon was fired in Week 10.
He has worked for 10 NFL teams. He was special teams coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 following stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals.
Swinton’s NFL career started in St. Louis, where he was the Rams’ special teams quality control coach from 2009-11.
The Steelers have yet to confirm Swinton’s departure, nor did ESPN specify the policy he reportedly violated.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Ian Poulter plays on torn meniscus, surgery set for September
Ian Poulter tees off on the ninth hole Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, during day one of the LIV Golf Indianapolis tournament held at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana. Ian Poulter said he needs surgery after tearing his meniscus while hopping up two steps at LIV Golf Virginia earlier this month.
Poulter didn’t let the injury impede him on the golf course on Thursday, as he shot a 4-under 66 in the first round of LIV Golf Korea at Asiad Country Club. The co-captain of Majesticks GC followed with a 2-over 72 on Friday to reside in a tie for 13th place, six strokes in back of leader Talor Gooch.
“I tore my meniscus Thursday of Virginia just hopping up two steps, so went for an MRI when I got back from Virginia, and yeah, I’m going to have to have surgery in September,” Poulter said Thursday.
Poulter, 50, admitted that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to compete in Korea.
“Bizarrely I have no sensation throughout the golf swing that there’s anything wrong with it,” he said. “I sense it when I’m walking downhill, steep downhills. I’m just edging it a little bit. But look, I’m going to have to strengthen that leg. It’s not affecting my golf in any way, shape or form.
“I just have to be reminding myself that I can’t go and play paddle tennis or do anything stupid or hop up steps like I did a couple of weeks ago. Walking in straight lines and being super sensible is not something I’m used to doing.
“Look, I feel good. I feel great. The body feels good. We’ll deal with that at some stage.”
Poulter has yet to win an individual LIV Golf event since joining the upstart league in 2022. He has 17 professional wins, including three on the PGA Tour.
–Field Level Media
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Caddie fired after PGA starting-time gaffe finds new job
