Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen missed the entire NBA Cup quarterfinal clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Allen was ejected in the third quarter after forcefully shoving Thunder star Chet Holmgren while trying to evade a screen, causing Holmgren to fall and sparking a brief on-court scuffle.
Allen left the court as players from both teams gathered momentarily, but officials quickly separated them without much difficulty. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s reaction to the incident, captured in slow motion by Amazon Prime Video, stood out as a memorable moment.
Allen received a flagrant 2 foul for the shove and was promptly removed from the game. He ended with 10 points and four assists on 3-of-9 shooting. Known for several incidents involving falls during his Duke days, Allen has mostly kept a low profile after multiple hard fouls and suspensions in his early NBA years. Now 30 and in his third season with the Suns, he is averaging a career-best 16.9 points and 3.9 assists per game.
Despite the frustration, which is somewhat understandable given the circumstances, Allen’s ejection came as the Thunder were dominating with a lead exceeding 30 points. Oklahoma City carried a 26-point advantage into halftime and widened it to 38 by the end of the third quarter, eventually securing a 49-point victory—the largest margin they have achieved this season. The Thunder have tallied five 30-point wins so far and are nearing last season’s total.
Dillon Brooks was the Suns’ top scorer with 16 points, the only Phoenix starter to reach double digits, while Devin Booker missed the game due to a groin injury. The Suns hold a 14-11 record currently.
The Thunder were led by Gilgeous-Alexander with 28 points and eight assists, and Holmgren contributed 24 points and eight rebounds. The team shot an impressive 59% from the field and drained 22 of 40 three-pointers.
With this win, the Thunder have extended their winning streak to 16 games and have claimed victory in 24 of their first 25 contests. Early into the season, they are poised to challenge the NBA’s single-season wins record. The team will now advance to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas to face either the Los Angeles Lakers or San Antonio Spurs.
Fan Take: This game highlights the growing intensity and competitiveness in the NBA, with rising stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren making waves. Allen’s ejection not only shifts the game’s momentum but also underscores the emotional stakes involved, which fans love to witness as the league evolves.
