A scuffle while the gap flirts with 40 points in the middle of the third quarter? Yes, it’s possible. The match between Thunder and Suns already played, Grayson Allen stood out by sending Chet Holmgren to the ground on a screen attempt by the latter.
This gesture, which earned the Suns shooter a flagrant type 2 foul, synonymous with expulsion, increased the level of animosity between the two teams, Jalen Williams being the first to come and confront Grayson Allen, while the two camps had to be separated.
The contact in question? “ A good mistake » according to the person concerned. “ (It was) as part of the physical intensity of the match and what was happening on both sides, especially with the contacts on the screens and some clashes under the circle. It was frank. He was coming straight towards me. Clearly a mistake […] I think the reaction that followed amplified things a bit. »
We also have to look at what happened a few seconds beforehand, when Chet Holmgren pushed Grayson Allen in the back on an offensive rebound. “ I think something happened on the previous action, so there was probably a bit of frustration », Remarks Jalen Williams, who spontaneously intervened to defend his playing partner.
A locker already full
What is this expulsion worth? Royce O’Neale believes that the contact was not ” excessive », and that Chet Holmgren had perhaps sold him a little too well to the referees.
« When (the referee) gave his explanation, I thought it was more of a blatant foul 1. They watched the action several times. I didn’t feel like there was any momentum. I prepared myself. I clearly inflicted a shock and made a big mistake, but it was honest », Defends Grayson Allen again.
The latter has a nice “record” in terms of borderline gestures. We remember in particular that in January 2022, while Grayson Allen was playing with the Bucks, the NBA suspended him for one game without pay after “ unnecessary and excessive contact » on Alex Caruso, currently at the Thunder, then a Bulls player.
What pushes Jalen Williams to blurt out: “ He’s kind of done that his whole career, so I understand. I just make sure I support my teammates. This could get more people talking but it’s the NBA, no one really fights anyway. […] It just added a little more spice to the match. The fans were a little more into it, so naturally you play a little harder. Honestly, that was kind of a good thing. »
