Statistics suggest Grayson Allen is enjoying a career-best season, yet the Phoenix Suns guard emphasizes that his primary goal is consistent availability.
Allen started the season strong, hitting 45% of his three-pointers and 45.5% of his overall field goals in the initial 13 games.
While injuries have caused his shooting efficiency to dip slightly over the season, he remains on track to achieve personal bests in points (17.3), assists (4.1), and steals (1.4) per game this year.
Suns coach Jordan Ott praised Allen on Friday, stating, “I think he’s impressed all of us with this season. His driving ability, which we greatly need, especially without Jalen (Green) throughout most of the year. His ability to get in the paint and I think he’s taking gigantic leaps, and again, we’ll just keep talking about it, but that’s the way the game is moving.”
Beyond his impressive scoring, Allen boasts a career-high usage rate (24.9) in his eight NBA seasons, alongside his best average of assists per 40 minutes (5.5).
Despite these strong statistical showings, the veteran Suns player has been vexed by the injuries he’s sustained this season.
While Allen has typically averaged around 70 games per season over the past four years, he has appeared in only 45 games so far this season, with nine left on the schedule.
“At the end of the day, I think the best thing you can do is be available,” Allen commented on Friday, adding, “From my position, that’s the most frustrating thing.”
He also mentioned that he felt healthier entering this season than he had since 2022.
This sentiment was supported by his strong start to the season.
However, a series of injuries soon plagued Allen; he sat out seven games, played five during a six-game span, and then missed an additional nine consecutive matchups.
Initially, he suffered a quad contusion, followed by a knee injury, both of which Allen considered unavoidable.
Allen expressed his frustration, stating, “Going into it feeling good, it’s really frustrating. I don’t think I could have controlled having a quad contusion. I didn’t know that could get that bad. (Then), there’s two weird landings that happened with weird twisting knee injuries.”
The subsequent knee issue kept Allen sidelined for 11 games spanning February and March, though he is optimistic about moving beyond these setbacks.
“I think mostly past them. I mean, they’re not gonna (go completely away),” Allen conceded, explaining, “Some of the stuff that happened isn’t gonna fully heal until you got like four to six weeks in the offseason.
He concluded, “So, it’s there, but it’s nothing more than anyone else is dealing with this late in the season.”
Allen expressed gratitude that his injuries haven’t resulted in more prolonged absences, yet emphasized that regardless of his impressive seasonal statistics, his preference is to be on the court for every single game.
“I completely understand like it’s probably my best season in the league from like a performance wise, but too many games missed to really be happy about it,” Allen admitted.
Additional Injury Updates for the Suns
On Friday, Ott reported that Dillon Brooks, dealing with a left hand fracture, and Mark Williams, recovering from a left foot third metatarsal stress fracture, are still awaiting clearance for five-on-five play, which marks their next recovery phase.
Williams’ advancement in his recovery hinges on the bone’s capacity to tolerate increasing stress.
Ott detailed the typical recovery process: “It goes no contact, now contact, build it up to five-on-five. Five-on-five with half court, (then) full court. That’s kind of the steps (of) that normal progression. It’s got to be really diligent on those steps.”
Following these steps, Ott indicated that the left toe bone would need to be tested for various impacts during offensive and defensive maneuvers.
Regarding Brooks, Ott confirmed that his cardiovascular fitness is maintained, and his return to play is contingent on his hand healing completely.
Ott also noted that Ryan Dunn (right groin soreness) is currently day-to-day and is anticipated to return sooner than Amir Coffey (left ankle sprain) or Haywood Highsmith (right knee injury management).
The Suns’ next game is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m., facing off against the Utah Jazz.
