Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen personally welcomed San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama to the league with a massive block during their teams’ matchup on Sunday.
The battle of the centers was on full display during the Cavaliers’ 117–115 home win, but arguably the most notable play was when the 6’9” Allen deftly blocked a dunk attempt by the 7’4” Wembanyama.
Allen’s odds to successfully block Wembanyama seemed unlikely based on their heights, but Allen defended the rookie phenom fearlessly.
OH MY. JARRETT ALLEN. 😳 #LetEmKnow
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 7, 2024
VOTE JA: https://t.co/RVkCQp2JNa pic.twitter.com/oymwPdmhX1
Allen’s performance stood out to Wembanyama throughout the game, as the Frenchman gave a shout-out to his fellow center in his postgame press conference.
“[Allen] was a great threat and is a player that I respect,” Wembanyama told reporters after the game. “He’s the type of player I like, and he’s already had a long career. He’s efficient and does the hard jobs.”
NBA fans were in awe of Allen’s block, too. Here are some of the best reactions from social media.
Jarrett Allen has been on a RAMPAGE https://t.co/Qf6BsErjVo
— FearTheSword (@FearTheSword) January 7, 2024
Jarrett Allen has been playing out of his effffing mind the last 2 weeks and this is the best play of that entire stretch 👀 https://t.co/H3huurozXA
— Mikey McNuggets (@MikeLucasTV) January 7, 2024
Block of the year. https://t.co/W9TigHg27J
— Jordan Klimack (@j_klimack20) January 7, 2024
Wemby tasting his own medicine!#LetEmKnow https://t.co/P1m5O4gx7v
— The Cleveland Insider (@Theland_Insider) January 7, 2024
Let’s goooooooo!!!! https://t.co/WbHeJFKYiq
— Emmett Golden (@egoldie80) January 7, 2024
Wemby: hey I'm 7' 3"
— DJ Dave👄 (@membersonlydave) January 7, 2024
Jarrett Allen: pic.twitter.com/J54g1rSMdM
The athleticism it takes to turn your hips, gather and block a 7’4 is unreal
— 𝑽enchy⚡️ (@viralvenchy) January 8, 2024
Jarrett Allen will have one of the coldest block highlights when he retires https://t.co/ZTpbMrW7Jq
— Gerry__notfound (@H__Gerry) January 7, 2024
See how physicality is so important in sports bruh Allen is 6’9 Victor is 7’4 and they met at the rim😭🙌🏾 https://t.co/rv8kuGZWyM
— Godzilla (@Junzo_Mayenza) January 8, 2024
Jarrett Allen will really jump with anybody https://t.co/D9gdavWnuI
— P 🏁 (@803Underdawg) January 8, 2024
