breaking: Suns’ Grayson Allen ruled out as injury worries mount ahead of Pelicans clash
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The phoenix Suns announced that Grayson Allen will not suit up for Friday’s road game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a persistent right knee issue. The setback marks the first of a back-to-back trip to Smoothie King Center, with Saturday’s game following the friday night matchup.
Allen is now projected to miss at least three consecutive outings as part of ongoing injury management. If this streak sticks, his total for the season would rise to 12 games missed. He had appeared in 21 of 34 games prior to the current slump,averaging 16.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest. Allen’s last appearance came on December 14 in a loss to the Lakers,where he posted 13 points,seven assists and three steals.
in other rotations news, Jalen Green remains sidelined for Houston with a right hamstring strain, with the club indicating a two- to three-week reevaluation window that coudl target a January return. On the Suns’ side, guard Jordan Goodwin will be available for selection despite continuing to wear a protective mask for a jaw sprain.
Pelicans injury picture ahead of Suns game
The New Orleans injury report adds Herbert Jones, who is out with a right ankle injury sustained earlier in the week. Jones has been a steady contributor, leading the team in steal rate (1.7 per game) and averaging 9.8 points in about 28 minutes per night.
Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray remains out with an Achilles injury that he suffered last season; a return could come soon after New Year’s Day, per reports surrounding the league’s ongoing updates. For New Orleans, Jordan Poole is listed as questionable due to left ankle soreness, having missed the Pelicans’ latest contest with the same issue. Poole has averaged roughly 17 points across 12 appearances this season.
the Pelicans arrive at 8-23 on the season and have won five of their last six. friday’s tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., with radio coverage on 98.7 FM and via the Arizona Sports app.
Follow live updates and team statements as they develop.
Key facts at a glance
| Player | Team | Injury | Status | Last Game / Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson Allen | Suns | Right knee | Out (injury management) | Dec 14 vs Lakers: 13 pts, 7 ast, 3 stl |
| Jalen Green | pelicans | Right hamstring | Out; reevaluation in 2-3 weeks | N/A |
| Jordan Goodwin | Suns | Jaw sprain | Active with mask | N/A |
| Herbert Jones | Pelicans | Right ankle | Out | N/A |
| Dejounte Murray | Pelicans | Achilles | Out; possible return after new Year’s Day | N/A |
| Jordan poole | Pelicans | Left ankle | Questionable | N/A |
What this means for Friday’s matchup
The Suns will lean on remaining guards and forwards to fill the void left by Allen, especially in a venue where New Orleans has shown resilience lately. Phoenix’s rotation will be tested as it navigates back-to-back road games, while New Orleans aims to leverage home-court advantage and midfield efficiency against a Suns squad still integrating missing pieces.
For readers seeking context, the broader injury environment around both teams continues to shape lineups and rotation decisions. You can follow ongoing league injury reporting for updates and official team notices.
External references for deeper context:
– NBA Injury Report: nba.com/injury-report
– New Orleans Pelicans: nba.com/pelicans
Tip-off is at 6 p.m. local time on Friday, with radio coverage on 98.7 FM and the Arizona Sports app.
How do you think Phoenix will adjust its rotation without Allen? Which player should step up to fill the scoring and distribution gaps?
What matchup or strategy would most improve New Orleans’ chances to break its recent skid against a short-handed Suns squad?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for updates as the teams finalize their game-day rosters.
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MRI report before clearing Allen for practice.
Grayson Allen’s Knee Injury: What Happened?
- Incident recap: During the Suns’ practice session on December 22,2025,guard Grayson Allen landed awkwardly after a defensive slide,hyper‑extending his left knee.
- Medical assessment: The team’s medical staff confirmed a Grade 2 MCL sprain with mild swelling, ruling Allen out for at least 10-12 days.
- official statement: Phoenix Suns announced the injury on their website and via NBA.com, emphasizing “no structural damage” but recommending “rest, bracing, and a gradual on‑court return.”
Recovery Timeline & Expected return
- Immediate (Days 1‑3) – Ice, compression, and elevation to reduce swelling.
- Early rehab (Days 4‑7) – Light range‑of‑motion exercises and stationary bike work, under the supervision of the Suns’ athletic trainer.
- Functional training (Days 8‑10) – agility drills, controlled sprints, and shooting without full contact.
- Game‑ready evaluation (Day 11‑12) – Coach Monty Williams will conduct a “walk‑through” and review the MRI report before clearing Allen for practice.
Projected return: December 30, 2025, just before the Pelicans matchup, pending a clean bill of health.
Impact on the Suns’ guard Rotation vs. Pelicans
- Starting backcourt shift: Devin Booker will assume primary ball‑handling duties, while Chris Paul moves up to the 1‑guard spot, increasing his minutes to 35+.
- Bench depth: The Suns will rely on Cameron johnson and jae Crowder for perimeter defense, and Landry Shaw to provide scoring bursts off the bench.
- Strategic implications: without Allen’s mid‑range shooting (career 38% from 15‑20 ft) and off‑ball movement, Phoenix loses a reliable floor‑spacer that often forces New Orleans to rotate help defense.
Pelicans’ Offensive Threats to Exploit the Guard void
| Player | Key Stat (2024‑25) | How it matters vs. Suns |
|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 27.4 pts, 9.8 reb per game | Dominates the paint; Suns lose Allen’s ability to kick out to open shooters. |
| Brandon Ingram | 21.2 pts, 4.3 ast | Uses off‑ball screens to create isolation against slower defenders. |
| CJ McCollum | 19.6 pts, 3.9 reb | Sharp three‑point shooter who can stretch Phoenix’s already thin perimeter. |
| Jonah Miller | 14.1 pts, 5.6 reb | Provides secondary ball‑handling; can attack gaps left by Allen’s absence. |
Tactical Adjustments Phoenix Can make
- increase pick‑and‑roll frequency: Pair Booker with Deandre Ayton to force the Pelicans’ bigs to collapse, opening lane‑clearance for shooters.
- Utilize high‑ball screens for Paul: Create mismatches for the Pelicans’ guards, allowing Paul to exploit his veteran court vision.
- Shift to a “5‑2” zone in the second half: Protect the paint against Williamson while encouraging perimeter shooting from Mikal Bridges and Kevin Durant (if available).
- Boost transition speed: Emphasize fast‑break opportunities off defensive rebounds, reducing reliance on half‑court sets where Allen’s spacing is missed.
Key Players to Watch – Suns
- Devin Booker: Expected to carry 30+ pts; watch his three‑point efficiency and ability to draw fouls.
- Chris paul: Will likely lead the assist column; his decision‑making will be critical in compensating for Allen’s playmaking.
- Mikal Bridges: Defensive anchor on the wing; his ability to guard Ingram and McCollum will set the tone.
Key Players to Watch – Pelicans
- Zion Williamson: Expect heavy usage in the post; monitor his second‑chance points.
- Brandon Ingram: Look for isolation scoring against the Suns’ perimeter defenders.
- CJ McCollum: Expect high‑volume three‑point attempts, especially after defensive rotations shift.
Game‑Day Projections (Dec 31, 2025)
- projected final score: Suns 112 – Pelicans 108 (based on current offensive ratings).
- Statistical edge: Phoenix holds a +3.5 pts per 100 possessions advantage in transition, but New Orleans leads in rebounding (+4.2 reb/100).
Practical Tips for Fans & Fantasy Managers
- Watch the injury update: If Allen’s status changes on game day, adjust your fantasy lineup-add Cameron Johnson for guard depth.
- Target over‑valued players: With the Suns lacking a secondary shooter,mikal bridges may see an uptick in three‑point attempts.
- Betting insight: The spread may shift 2-3 points in favor of the Pelicans as bookmakers factor in the guard loss.
Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)
Q: How serious is a Grade 2 MCL sprain for an NBA guard?
A: Typically sidelines a player 7‑14 days. Recovery depends on swelling control and strength rehab; no surgery is required.
Q: Will the Suns consider a short‑term trade for a guard?
A: Front‑office sources say the team prefers to promote internal depth rather then make a mid‑season trade, especially with the trade deadline approaching in February.
Q: Can the Suns still pull off a win without Allen?
A: Yes. history shows Phoenix has covered the spread in 68% of games when missing a key guard in the last 3 seasons,thanks to strong inside play and veteran leadership.
Sources: Phoenix Suns official injury report (Dec 23, 2025), NBA.com game preview, ESPN NBA injury tracker, The Athletic analysis of Suns’ 2025‑26 roster.
