Allen returns for Duke after sitting out 1 game for tripping

DURHAM, N.C. — Grayson Allen was back for No. 8 Duke after an indefinite suspension for his latest trip of an opponent wound up being one game.

Allen had 15 points and seven assists in the Blue Devils’ 110-57 rout of Georgia Tech on Wednesday night — the final game for Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski before he takes a leave of absence to have back surgery.

“(Krzyzewski) ultimately felt that I was ready to come back, and I felt good coming back,” Allen said. “And so I accept all the discipline that came my way, and I know that it was my fault.”

Allen was suspended indefinitely Dec. 22, one day after he was caught tripping an opposing player for the third time in a calendar year. This time he was caught tripping Elon’s Steven Santa Ana on a drive in the first half of a 72-61 win.

At the time, Krzyzewski said he would suspend the preseason AP All-American guard and his team’s second-leading scorer “until I feel good about the entire situation where he is at.”

After the game, Krzyzewski said he and athletic director Kevin White discussed the suspension and found that it was “appropriate” to reinstate him.

Krzyzewski is scheduled to have the operation Friday and the school expects him to be back in roughly four weeks. Associate head coach Jeff Capel will be in charge during Coach K’s absence, with his first game coming Saturday against Boston College.

Allen watched from the bench in street clothes Saturday as Virginia Tech routed the Blue Devils 89-75. After that game, Krzyzewski revealed that he had stripped Allen of his team captaincy.