The NBA Cup adding money as an incentive prize for the winning team sees extra intensity involved in some of the tournament games. Players from the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder had a minor scuffle during the Thunder’s 49-point victory. Controversial role player Grayson Allen added to his negative reputation by shoving Chet Holmgren to start the issue.
Oklahoma City dominated offensively and had their way with almost every single screen play giving them an advantage. Allen grew frustrated as the larger Holmgren getting physical with him on one screen to deliver a shove that almost started a fight. Holmgren, Allen, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Williams all had animated reactions before everyone was separated.
No fights occurred and violence didn’t seem likely since coaches and teammates got in between the unhappy parties. Holmgren and Williams felt that Allen was trying to deliver a cheap shot due to the game being out of reach in the third quarter. Allen has a reputation in both his NBA and college stints for dirty plays or starting issues with others. This was at play here for Thunder players to confront him.
Why Did Grayson Allen Do It?
The score of 94-58 in favor of Oklahoma City clearly upset a lot of Suns players hoping they could put up a fight and advance to the Las Vegas stage of the final four. Devin Booker provided some hope for a return by having a questionable tag, but he was ruled out shortly before the game’s start.
Phoenix already has a very slim chance against the Thunder at full health. Booker being ruled out meant they’d need a miracle to score a road victory in Oklahoma City. The importance of this game saw the Thunder running up the score to rest their starters and put the score out of reach to cement their Vegas trip.
Allen has a past of physically harming others when he feels validated or wants to send a message. That logic remained the same here as the frustrated Suns night saw Allen trying to get physical and shoving Holmgren unprovoked. Brooks backed up Allen as another player known for having a similar track record of incidents.
Thunder Laughed Off Grayson Allen’s Antics
Holmgren and Williams expressed displeasure with Allen, but they certainly didn’t keep the issue going. Brooks seemed to upset Holmgren more by getting in front of him and trying to play the enforcer. Williams had to be held back by the coaching staff, despite laughing through it all and asking for cheers from the crowd.
Referees ejected Allen with a flagrant-2 foul to instantly kick him out of the game. The timing of the game being out of hand and Allen almost starting an unnecessary fight dictated the punishment since he didn’t throw fists or try to injure anyone like in the usual flagrant ejections.
However, it adds more credence to the belief that Allen and Brooks are dirty players that like cheap shots. None of this likely happens in a close game, and it represented the Suns being livid about getting eliminated from the NBA Cup in humiliating fashion.
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