The Suns are staring down a 2-0 series deficit against the Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. And the climb out of that hole could become more difficult based on the status of a key contributor.
Grayson Allen left early in the third quarter of No. 6 seed Phoenix's Game 2 loss to No. 3 seed Minnesota and did not return. He was ultimately ruled out with an ankle injury, the team announced.
At the time of his departure from the game, Allen had scored just three points in 17 minutes on 1-of-2 shooting (all shots from 3-point range). He also had three rebounds and a steal.
Still, the importance of Allen cannot be overstated for Phoenix. A major question mark for the Suns in the first-round series has been whether the team's depth can hold up against a more well-rounded Minnesota squad. Allen averages 13.5 points and a team-best 2.7 made 3s per game on league-leading 46.1% 3-point shooting.
The Suns signed Allen to a four-year, $70 million extension before the postseason. Here's the latest on his injury and what it could mean for Phoenix.
MORE: Updated scores, schedule for Suns vs. Timberwolves
Grayson Allen injury update
Allen left Tuesday's Game 2 with 9:17 remaining in the third quarter, leaning on members of the training staff to help him to the locker room. The 28-year-old appeared to roll his ankle after stepping on the foot of Timberwolves guard Mike Conley.
Grayson Allen had to be helped to the locker room after stepping on Mike Conley's foot.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 24, 2024
Hope he's alright 🙏pic.twitter.com/UH5P5C3YRa
Allen had been listed as questionable coming into the game with an ankle injury that he suffered during the playoff opener against the Timberwolves. In Game 1, the former Duke guard scored four points on four free throws (0-for-3 from the field) over 25 minutes.
Allen's X-rays were negative and he will be day-to-day ahead of Friday's Game 3 in Phoenix, Suns head coach Frank Vogel said after Tuesday's 105-93 loss
