Connect with us
Burn+

Phoenix Suns

Suns reveal status of Grayson Allen for season opener

© Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said that guard Grayson Allen (Achilles) is probable for Wednesday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers after practice Tuesday.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Damion Lee (hamstring) is also probable, while Josh Okogie (hamstring) is out, Budenholzer said.

Allen missed the final four games of the preseason with his injury. He had seven points and two rebounds in the only preseason game he played in, a 118-114 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 6. 

Lee missed the final preseason game with his injury, while Okogie was out for the last two preseason contests with his.

On Monday, Budenholzer said that Allen fully participated in practice and wanted to see how he responded before determining his status for the opener. Now, it appears he checked all the boxes, and the team just once again wants to see how he responds to another day of practice.

Allen also talked with the media on Monday about his injury.

“I did just about everything in practice (Monday),” Allen said. “I would love to be in for the first game.”

The injury had been lingering the entire training camp.

“A little bit on and off before the first preseason game, and then a little bit kind of stronger in the second half in the first preseason game,” Allen said. “They were just really cautious with it being preseason. I was fighting them to play a little bit sooner, but just trying to be really cautious where they get it back to 100% before the start of the season, so I don’t have to deal with it.”

The Suns acquired the 28-year-old Allen from the Milwaukee Bucks on Sept. 27 of last year in the Deandre Ayton and Damian Lillard trade. Allen finished his first season in Phoenix averaging career-high 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks in 33.5 minutes across 75 games (74 starts). His 46.1% clip from deep was the best 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA.

During the playoffs, the Duke product sprained his ankle and was sidelined for Games 3 and 4 as the Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-0 back in April.

Right before the series, Allen signed a four-year, $70 million extension with Phoenix.

Following the sweep, the Suns hired Mike Budenholzer, Allen’s former coach on the Bucks from 2021-23, in May reuniting the two who developed a special bond together in Milwaukee.

This offseason, Allen said he bulked up to 230 pounds at Phoenix’s media day last month after being listed at 198 pounds last year. He also helped recruit his former Duke and Memphis Grizzlies teammate Tyus Jones to the Suns to be their next starting point guard, as Allen said he was more than willing to give Jones his starting role to benefit the team.

“The (sixth man role) has been a little different,” Allen said. “I honestly don’t know, I haven’t been in that position for a while, so I just got to try to stay locked in those five, six, seven, however many minutes it is before I get in the game. I’m used to being amped up like right from tip, and now when you get to sit down for a little bit, it’s a little different.”

Tomorrow’s game against the Clippers tips off at 7:00 p.m. MST in what will be the first regular-season game ever at Los Angeles’ new arena, Intuit Dome.

NBA odds tracker: Where Suns stand entering 2024-25 season

*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*

Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau

Related Topics

Burn City Radio

More in Phoenix Suns