Devin Booker ejected after shoving Enes Kanter, Kanter tweets response
Jan 26, 2018, 10:21 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2018, 10:33 pm
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Greg Monroe get into a shoving match with New York Knicks center Enes Kanter (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, in Phoenix. The Knicks defeated the Suns 107-85. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Friday night’s game against the New York Knicks looked to be all about the Phoenix Suns trying Devin Booker out as a starting point guard.
Instead, it turned into a physical game the officials tried to get control of in a hurry.
Booker was involved in those key moments of escalation in the third quarter. He picked up his first technical foul with 9:44 remaining in the quarter after Jarrett Jack drew a foul from Booker that he disagreed with.
Less than a minute later in game time, Booker turned the ball over and then chased down Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. in transition.
Booker slapped at Hardaway’s arm with his right hand, and with the other, he appeared to attempt to grab Hardaway to stop his momentum, making Hardaway’s landing messy.
Dirty foul by Devin Booker on Tim Hardaway Jr.
THJ still down. pic.twitter.com/GacABMTmUj
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) January 27, 2018
After a review, it was ruled a Flagrant 1 on Booker.
Later in the quarter, Booker drove at Knicks big man Enes Kanter and Kanter blocked his shot out of bounds.
Kanter wasn’t shy about invading Booker’s space following the play, so Booker shoved him out of the way.
Booker gets ejected after pushing Kanter following a block and staredown pic.twitter.com/yPWk3Tp4Ui
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 27, 2018
With the way the game had escalated, that was enough for double technical fouls after a review and Booker was ejected.
It wouldn’t end there, though, as Kanter made sure Booker knew who came out on top in the Suns’ 107-85 defeat.
Hold that “L” kid.
Talk to me nice or don’t talk to me at all… pic.twitter.com/tS3mLgClTA
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 27, 2018
Suns forward Jared Dudley tweeted a response and that turned into a back-and-forth between the two.
You talking like you in the playoffs bruh!!! You not Westbrook bruh!! Don’t let that Knicks hype fool you! We know what you are a fake tough guy who like twitter! We already saw Lebron son you! https://t.co/YD0j0J1jCy
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 27, 2018
Get on the treadmill before you talk bro.
You got the retirement body 😂 😂https://t.co/X6GuST1kft— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 27, 2018
Your as corny as you look Boi! Just remember this NBA fraternity knows exactly who you are! One of the worst pick n roll defender in the NBA! Now hold that L kid! https://t.co/fcD6CwaFK4
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 27, 2018
At the time of the media’s arrival postgame, Booker was no longer in the locker room.
