MINNEAPOLIS – Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen aggravated the sprained right ankle he suffered in Game 1 of the playoffs, forcing him to limp in the third quarter of Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the series, Tuesday.
The Suns then ruled him out for the rest of the game before losing 105-93. Minnesota leads the series 2-0.
X-rays were negative and Allen will be negative day by day, coach Frank Vogel said afterward.
With Game 3 scheduled for Friday, Allen said afterward that he wasn’t sure how his ankle would respond after two days of treatment, but was glad to have the time. He said the way he injured his ankle Tuesday was similar to what happened in the first game.
“It’s just a little harder since I was in the air and landed, but when I watched the replay it felt like I was landing on someone’s heel and to ride it hard enough,” Allen said.
Allen was guarding Mike Conley as he headed toward the lane when he flew up in an attempt to block the shot and landed awkwardly on his right leg. Allen had to be helped off the field and into the locker room.
The Suns had listed Allen, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage this season, as questionable. Before the game, Vogel praised Allen’s tenacity and determination to play.
Allen went 0 of 3 from the field in 25 minutes with four points in the opener. He was 1 of 2 in 17 minutes with three points in Game 2.
Baxter Holmes of ESPN and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
