PHOENIX SUNS

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 c...

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.

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.

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.

Suns forward Jared Dudley tweeted a response and that turned into a back-and-forth between the two.

At the time of the media’s arrival postgame, Booker was no longer in the locker room.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

NBA players Kevin Durant (L) and Draymond Green attend a 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game betwee...

Arizona Sports

Draymond Green ‘baffled’ by James Jones’ claim on Kevin Durant not being maximized

Warriors forward Draymond Green saw Kevin Durant win two Finals MVP awards so it's safe to say he disagreed with James Jones' comments.

21 hours ago

Ty Lue, Suns, head coach, candidate, Clippers...

Kevin Zimmerman

Report: Clippers want to retain coach Ty Lue as Lakers, and potentially Suns, have opening

The Los Angeles Lakers and, potentially, the Phoenix Suns would likely be interested in Clippers coach Ty Lue if he were to depart.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Is it too early to call the Phoenix Suns’ Big 3 a failure?

After all the hype surrounding Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal at the beginning of the season, Wolf & Luke debate whether it's too early to consider the Big 3 a failure.

1 day ago

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham...

Associated Press

Lakers fire head coach Darvin Ham despite 2 playoff appearances in 2 years

The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Darvin Ham on Friday after just two seasons in charge that included a playoff appearance each.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant need to show their ‘passion and fury’

With Suns owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones sharing their thoughts on the season, Dan Bickley wants guard Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to voice their opinions as well.

1 day ago

Royce O'Neal chases a loose ball...

Kevin Zimmerman

Phoenix Suns offseason primer: Royce O’Neale’s contract, Bol Bol’s market among roster questions

The Phoenix Suns can bring back Royce O'Neale and Bol Bol, but it might not be easy for different contractual reasons.

1 day ago

Devin Booker ejected after shoving Enes Kanter, Kanter tweets response