OAKLAND, Calif. -- Memphis Grizzlies defensive stalwart Tony Allen missed Wednesday's playoff game against the Golden State Warriors while dealing with a lingering hamstring injury.
Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said it made more sense at this point to rest Allen on Wednesday in hopes that another two days of treatment and recovery might improve his chances to play in Game 6 on Friday in Memphis.
Allen didn't speak to media in the locker room after the Grizzlies' 98-78 Game 5 loss but indicated on his way to the team bus that he intends to play in Game 6. Joerger was not definitive regarding Allen's status following the game.
Jeff Green replaced Allen in the starting lineup.
Allen initially aggravated the left hamstring midway through the Grizzlies' win Saturday in Game 3 but played two days later in a loss that tied the series at 2-2.
Allen, who missed the last nine games of the regular season with a strained hamstring, struggled early in Monday's loss and played just 16 minutes after the Warriors adjusted their defensive strategy to exploit his limitations.
"He wants to be out there and will do everything he can," Joerger said after Wednesday afternoon's shootaround. "He's been more hurt than I think people realize. He's given us everything he's got and is the reason we're tied in this series."
Allen's defense against Golden State guards Klay Thompson and league MVP Stephen Curry was vital in Memphis' two victories in the series. He had a combined eight steals in the third and fourth games of the series, and contributed to the Warriors' missing 40 of 52 attempts from 3-point range.
Leading into Monday's loss, Allen told ESPN.com that his hamstring was a growing concern.
"It's tough to still have to deal with this right now," Allen said. "But it's definitely not something I'm trying to advertise. I've just got to fight through it."
