Grayson Allen Ejected in NBA Cup Quarters Amid Thunder Blowout Frustration
The Phoenix Suns faced a tough defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, losing 138-89. The game took a contentious turn when guard Grayson Allen was ejected with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. His ejection stemmed from a Flagrant 2 foul on Thunder player Chet Holmgren, which was confirmed following an official review.
Frustration Leads to Ejection
Grayson Allen’s ejection marked a pivotal moment in the game as the Suns were already trailing by 36 points. This incident was particularly notable as it was Allen’s first ejection since joining the Suns. The review showed that Allen met all three criteria for a flagrant foul: impact, windup, and follow-through.
Discrepancies in Foul Calls
Controversy ensued as many pointed out that Holmgren had committed a similar foul on Allen just minutes earlier, receiving an and-1 opportunity from a Royce O’Neale foul. This led to claims of inconsistent officiating during the game.
Player Statistics
- Grayson Allen: 10 points, 3-of-9 shooting, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal in 22 minutes.
- Overall Team Performance: The Suns had a collective minus-41 plus/minus rating, with no player finishing with a positive rating.
- Dillon Brooks: Recorded a minus-47, just shy of the worst all-time single-game plus/minus for the franchise.
Rookies Take the Court
Despite the rout, rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming made their presence felt. Both logged 10 minutes of play, providing glimpses of potential:
- Khaman Maluach: 2 points, 1-of-3 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.
- Rasheer Fleming: 7 points, 3-of-5 shooting (1-of-2 from three), and 1 steal.
This defeat for the Suns marks the largest margin of loss in franchise history, leaving fans to ponder the team’s trajectory this season. The frustration displayed by Allen is symptomatic of a broader concern as the Suns navigate a challenging phase.
