Allen admitted after Wednesday's loss to the Nuggets that he's been playing through pain in his hand and knee, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal reports.

Allen said he jammed his knuckle Wednesday but quickly noted that "it isn't anything to run home and tell mom or anything." Even so, Allen was noticeably wincing throughout the game and played just seven minutes in the second half. "I don't think I was in the game mentally or physically," Allen said. "So I think Coach (Dave Joerger) did the right thing by sitting me." While under normal circumstances Allen would likely miss a game or two to recover, the injury-riddled Grizzlies don't have the luxury of holding Allen, or forward Zach Randolph (ankle), out as the playoffs approach. "We want to be going into the playoffs playing our style of basketball. Everybody on the same page, offensively and defensively," Allen said. "With these seven games left, we've got time to (get the fifth seed). Like I said, we come in each game looking forward to winning them. Right now it's just staying together, staying confident, and paying attention to detail for 48 minutes."