The Bucks defended Grayson Allen after he was suspended for an ugly hit that injured an opponent
Morry Gash/AP Images
- Grayson Allen was suspended for one game after a hard foul fractured the Bulls' Alex Caruso's wrist.
- The Bucks released a statement disagreeing with the suspension and supporting Allen.
- Allen has a history of questionable plays, including because accused of tripping opponents at Duke.
The Milwaukee Bucks came to the defense of guard Grayson Allen after yet a hard, dangerous foul led to punishment.
On Friday, Allen issued a hard foul on the Chicago Bulls' Alex Caruso as Caruso went up for a layup in transition. Allen attempted to block Caruso in the air, then swung his other hand through, shoving Caruso to the ground.
Caruso took a hard fall and stayed down, in pain. Caruso fractured his wrist and will have to undergo surgery that is expected to keep him out 6-8 weeks.
Caruso was given a flagrant-2 foul for the play and ejected from the game. The NBA announced on Sunday that he will serve a one-game suspension for "unnecessary and excessive contact" that resulted in injury.
Morry Gash/AP Images
The Bucks then made the unusual decision to release a statement supporting Allen.
"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."
—Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2022
Allen has a history of questionable plays dating back to his college career at Duke. Allen served a one-game suspension in 2017 after a third incident in which he appeared to intentionally trip an opponent.
Friday's play was only the third flagrant foul of Allen's four-year career, but he has had other brush-ups with players. Last season, Trae Young accused Allen of trying to trip him which Allen later mocked.
The New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy also accused Allen of trying, unsuccessfully, to trip Derrick Rose during a game in December.
—Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) December 12, 2021
Allen is averaging 11.8 points in 28 minutes per game for the Bucks this season. The one-game suspension will cost him over $27,000, according to ESPN.