AP Photo/Morry Gash
The NBA suspended Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen for one game after his Flagrant 2 foul on Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso on Friday, Jan. 21.
“We disagree with the suspension,” the Bucks said in a statement. “We support Grayson and look forward to him rejoining our team for Friday’s game vs. New York.”
The foul in question occurred midway through the third quarter of the Bucks’ 94-90 home win over the Bulls.
As Caruso was going up for a layup, Allen leaped to defend the shot and collided with the guard midair. He also hit Caruso’s head with his left hand as the Bull was falling to the ground.
Bulls Talk @NBCSBulls
Grayson Allen draws a flagrant 2 for a HARD foul on Alex Caruso pic.twitter.com/NjCJEzo7zu
Allen got ejected. Caruso was shaken up but eventually finished the game. However, the Bulls announced the next day that he would be out six-to-eight weeks with a fractured right wrist.
Allen has a history of dirty play, notably tripping players on three occasions during the 2016-17 season while he was at Duke. The Blue Devils suspended him for one game.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan alluded to Allen’s past when commenting to reporters following the Bucks game:
K.C. Johnson @KCJHoop
Here is Billy Donovan’s full answer when asked about Grayson Allen’s flagrant-2 foul on Alex Caruso and ejection.
It should be noted this is very uncharacteristic of Donovan to single out a player like this. pic.twitter.com/70UZFSMi85
The following day, Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports reported that the NBA was reviewing the play. K.C. Johnson of Yahoo Sports provided more information:
K.C. Johnson @KCJHoop
To be clear, the league is still reviewing the incident. The early indications that Allen’s ejection would be his only discipline were before news of Caruso’s injury. And league does take into account any injury suffered by the offended player. Stay tuned. https://t.co/DYguqR2cP2
In the end, the NBA decided that further punishment was necessary for the four-year NBA veteran, who has averaged 11.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this year.
Allen sat the Bucks’ 133-127 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday with a left hip injury. The Bucks’ next game is Wednesday at the Cleveland Cavaliers.