Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer says Grayson Allen's flagrant foul on Alex Caruso was unintentional

1 year ago 156

Written By Nick Metallinos

Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer has defended Grayson Allen following the Flagrant-2 foul he committed on Alex Caruso on Friday night.

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)

Allen pulled Caruso out of the air with both hands on a fastbreak dunk attempt, which led to the Bulls guard falling and fracturing his right wrist. Caruso said his wrist was "a little banged up" initially after the game, but scans ultimately revealed the fracture.

The injury will require surgery and Caruso is expected to be sidelined for between six-to-eight weeks.

MORE: Timeline of Grayson Allen's dirty plays

Prior to Saturday night's game against the Sacramento Kings, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer defended his player, insisting it was not a dirty play on his behalf.

"It’s something I’ve spent some of the day thinking about. I’m going to visit with Grayson for a lot of reasons, more to just check in on him and see how he’s doing," Budenholzer said. "I could just go on Grayson since he’s been here, and really since he’s been in the league. I think he’s been great for us. He’s competitive. He does a lot of things that are about winning. Our locker room loves him, I love him.

"Competition is tough and there’s things that happen in the games that are unfortunate. I know that Caruso is gonna miss some time, and I feel for him. I don’t want that for any of our opponents, for anybody. But there’s nothing that was done intentional."

MORE: Did Grayson Allen's reputation factor into Flagrant 2 call?

Bulls staff members, including head coach Billy Donovan were furious with Allen after the game, and called for the league to take a good look at the incident.

"For Alex to be in the air and for [Allen] to take him down like that, he could've ended his career," Donovan said. "He has a history of this. That to me was really -- it was really dangerous. I hope the league takes a hard look at something like that because that could have really, really seriously hurt him."

The Bulls and the Bucks next face each other on Friday, March 4 in Chicago.

Lauri Markkanen (Cleveland Cavaliers)