If you were hoping to have some shooting relief tonight in New Orleans, you are going to have to wait. Grayson Allen was ruled out again for the game against the Pelicans.
The last time he played was December 14 against the Lakers. This marks his 12th missed game of the season, which is tough timing because he is in the middle of a career year. He is averaging 16.3 points while shooting 39.2% from three. His 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals are also career highs for Allen.
After appearing in the first 13
games of the season, he missed the next seven with a quad contusion. Since then, he has played in five of the last nine. That has become the theme around this team right now. Nagging injuries. Layer that on top of a back-to-back against New Orleans, and it is easy to see what is coming. Mark Williams will likely sit out one of the two games, most likely tomorrow night, as the team continues to load manage his availability in back-to-backs.
The Pelicans will be without Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray. Jordan Poole is questionable. On paper, the Suns still have an edge even without Allen. This isn’t the same team the Suns played on November 10, either. That night, the Suns easily dispatched the Pelicans, 121-98.
This version of the team is one that is playing well. They have won five of their last six. They do not own their first-round pick next season after moving it to Atlanta on draft night to acquire Derik Queen, so there is no incentive to slow things down either. Every night in New Orleans turns into a fight.
The hope is simple. Get healthy. There is only so much attrition a team can absorb before it starts to show. We’ll see what happens tonight in the Big Easy.
