Grayson Allen shines as a replacement for Bradley Beal in the Suns' win over the Warriors

Having Grayson Allen back in the starting lineup was familiar and an integral part of the Phoenix Suns’ 113-105 home win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

He made his first start of the season as a replacement for the injured Bradley Beal (left calf), who was out for the eighth time this season. Allen, who started 74 of his 75 appearances last season, had 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal in nearly 33 minutes.

He scored 13 of his 17 goals and led the Suns in their decisive second-quarter surge in which they extended their largest lead by halftime to 17. They maintained the lead for the rest of the game.

“It felt good,” Allen told The Arizona Republic after the game. “It felt a lot like last year, but ultimately it’s not all that different from what I’ve been doing all year.”

Allen’s assessment of his performance against the Warriors is consistent with his 15 games this season. The Suns sharpshooter is averaging 10.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.7 steals in 23.1 minutes. Allen was one point shy of his season high and managed 3 points in the Warriors game. He shot 4 of 8 overall, 3 of 6 from 3 and hit all three of his three-pointers in the second quarter. It was the seventh time this season that he made at least three 3-pointers in a single game.

Allen was the NBA’s best 3-point shooter last season with a 46.1% shooting percentage. Allen moved to the bench this offseason after Tyus Jones joined the team in free agency. The Warriors game also marked Allen’s first start with his former Duke teammate this season.

“He seemed to be in a good rhythm,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He kind of looked good, was able to go in and looked comfortable. “When he shoots, plays and attacks, I think his offensive game is a little underrated, he goes to the free throw line. So it was good to incorporate it into the starters tonight.”

Also in the second quarter, Jones, Royce O’Neale and Monte Morris combined for seven three-pointers and shot 63.6% from deep. The Suns shot 14 of 21 by the end of the first half and finished the game 18 of 35 from distance. Her ball movement accounted for 31 assists on 38 total field goals, including 21 on 23 in the first half.

“We were hot,” Allen said. “We shot a hell of a lot of threes, but we did a good job of looking after each other and making a lot of extra passing threes, pulling a lot of twos and kicking threes.”…It was important for us to set that tone and to take the lead early.”

Booker (game-high 27 points) explained how important Allen’s hot hand and distance were against the league’s fifth-best defense.

“It opens up everything for us when teams are trying to get tougher defensively and he just makes them pay,” Booker said. “Not just the three, but he can drive and get to the free throw line.”

Allen made his season-high six free throw attempts against the Warriors.

Suns rookie forward Ryan Dunn usually started when Beal or Kevin Durant was out, making nine starts in 19 games.

“When you start, it’s definitely different than when you come off the bench,” Durant said, adding of Allen: “You have to have a different mentality and he’s comfortable when he starts with us and you see him tonight.” Seventeen points, three assists, four rebounds, going downhill, making plays, making big shots.

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Grayson Allen shines as a replacement for Bradley Beal in the Suns’ win over the Warriors

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