PHOENIX SUNS

Suns G Devin Booker ‘couldn’t believe’ Tuesday’s ejection vs. Lakers

Mar 3, 2021, 2:57 PM | Updated: 11:49 pm
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)...
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Phoenix Suns entered play Wednesday with the second best record in the NBA following a beatdown of the Los Angeles Lakers on national TV the night prior.

The 114-104 win wasn’t without its drama, however.

With 7:10 left to play in the third quarter, Suns star Devin Booker was hit with a double technical, resulting in a questionable ejection that effectively ended his night after 24 minutes of action. He finished with 17 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals.

The guard shared his two cents on the matter with reporters following Wednesday’s practice.

“I just couldn’t believe in such a high intense game, an important game, that it would come to that that quickly,” Booker said via Zoom. “But we have a team and it showed last night. Coach Monty [Williams] and Jae [Crowder] said after the game that we got better, so it helps to know that if stuff goes south — hopefully not in that manner again — you have a full team behind you ready to keep competing.”

Instead of riding the wave of shattered momentum that can come with an ejection of that magnitude, the Booker-less Suns dug in.

Outside of Booker, Phoenix had four players in double figures, with Dario Saric leading the way off the bench with 21 points to go along with five rebounds. He and Booker had were plus-13 on the night. Point guard Chris Paul added 10 assists and eight points.

Mikal Bridges turned in yet another strong performance as well, recording 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting (3-of-6 from 3-point land). He chipped in six rebounds and five assists. Cam Johnson, who subbed in for Booker following the ejection, added nine points off the bench.

“I don’t see them falling apart. This isn’t one of those situations, this isn’t one of those teams,” Booker said. “We’ve got real hoopers, man, all the way through. I could go down and give a game breakdown of each player 1-15 but we don’t have the time for that.

“These guys can hoop. Everybody in this gym can hoop. I can truthfully say that. I know that wasn’t the best situation for me to be in, but don’t think Mikal Bridges or Cam Johnson had a frown on their face once I went out the game. That’s more opportunity and they proved that and they grew.”

The Suns will look to make it four straight victories Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors. Catch all the action live at 8 p.m. at 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, blocks the shot of Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns guard E'Twaun Moore, left, and forward Dario Saric defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James tosses powder in the air prior to an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris, left, blocks the shot of Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, center, passes the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley, left, and guard Alex Caruso defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, is fouled in the act of shooting by Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, left, loses control of the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker takes it during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder complains after being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns scores on a layup over Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers as LeBron James #23 and Markieff Morris #88 look on during the second quarter at Staples Center on March 02, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE. Phoenix Suns forward Abdel Nader, top, tries to pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers guard Wesley Matthews tries to pass the ball from the floor during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso lays on the floor after being hit in the face while shooting during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso, right, is hit in the face by Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric as he shoots during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns forward Abdel Nader, left, celebrates after scoring with guard Cameron Payne during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 114-104. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Damian Jones defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Abdel Nader defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 114-104. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges smiles after scoring and drawing a foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 114-104. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Abdel Nader defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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