Blue Devil Country

Grayson Allen catches fire for only unbeaten NBA team

The Duke basketball alum heated up on his way to a season-high point total.

Matt Giles

Former Duke basketball guard Grayson Allen (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)
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For the first time this season, former Duke basketball shooting guard Grayson Allen was not in the starting lineup for the red-hot Milwaukee Bucks.

No worries. Allen responded brilliantly in his new, yet perhaps temporary, role off the bench by helping the Bucks (9-0) remain the NBA's only undefeated squad with their 108-94 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-5) on Saturday night.

Milwaukee's victory came without its star, Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), on the floor.

In his 21 minutes of action against the Thunder, Grayson Allen scored a season-high 19 points while shooting a blistering 6-for-8 from the field, 5-for-6 from downtown, and 2-for-2 from the foul line.

Midway through the first quarter, the 27-year-old checked in for the man who started in his place, MarJon Beauchamp. Three minutes later, with Milwaukee down by eight, Allen was responsible for eight straight points in the game, and the Bucks entered the second quarter in a 34-34 tie.

Then with four minutes to play before the break, Allen's five points in 20 seconds sparked a 17-6 run to send the team into the locker room with a commanding 67-53 lead. And a signature Grayson Allen splash from 28 feet late in the third quarter aided in padding Milwaukee's healthy advantage entering the fourth.

Allen, a fifth-year pro who went No. 21 overall at the 2018 NBA Draft after his high-profile four-year Duke basketball campaign, is now averaging 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game for the season.

RELATED: List of every Blue Devil currently in the NBA

The Milwaukee Bucks' next outing is on the road against the Atlanta Hawks (6-3) at 8:15 p.m. ET Monday.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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