Advertisement

Bucks 'disagree' with Grayson Allen's 1-game suspension for injuring Alex Caruso

The NBA is suspending Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen one game for a flagrant foul that broke Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso's wrist.

The Bucks "disagree" with the decision.

The incident happened in the third quarter of Milwaukee's 94-90 win on Friday. With 5:45 remaining in the quarter, Caruso drove to the basket on a fast break. Allen jumped to meet Caruso at the rim, swiped at his ball hand with his left hand, then threw Caruso to the floor with his right hand.

“It was really bad. It was really, really bad," Donovan told reportes. … For Alex to be in the air like that for him to take him down like that, he could have ended his career. rist and would miss 6-8 weeks because of the injury. The NBA announced Allen's suspension on Sunday. He'll miss Wednesday's road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.e

Bucks complain about suspension in statement

The Bucks released a statement on Sunday protesting Allen's ban.

"We disagree with the suspension," the statement reads. "We support Grayson and look forward to him rejoining our team for Friday's game vs. New York."

The team statement echoes one from head coach Mike Budenholzer, who defended Allen's foul as unintentional on Saturday.

"Competition is tough and there’s things that happen in the games that are unfortunate," Budenholzer told reporters. "I know that Caruso is gonna miss some time, and I feel for him. I don’t want that for any of our opponents, for anybody. But there’s nothing that was done intentional.

"Grayson’s been nothing but great for us. The way the guys feel about him, that’s how you know the most, is how a locker room feels about you.

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 13:  Grayson Allen #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 13, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Grayson Allen. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Billy Donovan on Allen: 'He has a history of this'

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan was critical of the foul after Friday's game and referenced Allen's reputation as a dirty player dating back to his college career at Duke.

“It was really bad. It was really, really bad," Donovan told reporters. … "For Alex to be in the air like that for him to take him down like that, he could have ended his career.

"And he has a history of this. That to me was really dangerous. I really hope the league takes a hard look at something like that, because they could have really, really seriously hurt him.”

Allen tripped or kicked opponents on multiple occasions while playing for Duke. In 2020 — while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies — he tripped Trae Young, drawing rebuke from the Atlanta Hawks guard.