The Phoenix Suns are back in Emirates NBA Cup action on Friday night when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Unfortunately, they will have to try to achieve their second cup win – which puts them in a good place to qualify outside the group – without one of their best players, as Grayson Allen will miss the match with a right side contusion.
Allen’s absence is a huge blow to the Rising Suns.
Allen’s inability to adapt is a loss for several reasons, and there’s no doubt he’s been an integral part of the quietly impressive offensive game plan that head coach Jordan Ott has put together. He’s also giving his team 18.5 points per night, easily a career high and also a huge boost considering Jalen Green has barely played all season.
Suns coach Jordan Ott on Grayson Allen (right contusion, who has been ruled out for Friday’s game against Minnesota): “He was able to participate (in Thursday’s practice). We didn’t play 5-on-5 or anything like that. It’s definitely going in the right direction.”
On Mark… pic.twitter.com/DiTydtorWI
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In fact, his 44.7 percent shooting from deep reaches another career high at 8.8 per game. Consider that two seasons ago — when Allen led the entire league in three-point shooting at 46.1 percent — he was shooting 5.9 every night. To add that many extra shots still remain consistent with some of the best marksmen in the league is extremely impressive.
Taking shots from the outside and not blending into the paint as much has been one of coach Ott’s key strategies, and it has led to a surprising 9-6 start. The ability of Allen and O’Neale to contribute regularly in that area again means that some of the offensive game plan will have to change, while we know guys like Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn can’t replicate what Allen does every night.
This cup match is also an opportunity to play a cup match in a group with no less than the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s a particularly common theme in European football, but when you know you can’t win a championship, a cup represents a chance at silverware and the chance to prove to your fans that you’re going in the right direction.
It would be nice to give Devin Booker some more hardware to hoist for The Valley too, even if it isn’t the real thing. Depending on what you think of Dillon Brooks, Allen is the second or third most important player in Phoenix. Missing this Timberwolves game is a blow, but he should be back there soon.
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