PHOENIX SUNS

Booker, Crowder ejected in final seconds of Suns’ loss to Lakers

May 27, 2021, 10:55 PM | Updated: May 28, 2021, 1:22 am

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, commits a flagrant foul on Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis ...

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, commits a flagrant foul on Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Los Angeles. Booker was ejected after the play. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

With nearly 30 seconds remaining in Game 3, Devin Booker was ejected after a hard foul on the Los Angeles Lakers’ Dennis Schroder.

The Phoenix Suns guard appeared to push Schroder to the ground with both hands as the Lakers star was driving to the basket. Booker was tossed for a Flagrant 2.

Booker’s frustrations were high as he struggled throughout the game, going 6-for-19 from the field with a team-high four turnovers.

Jae Crowder wasn’t happy about the ref’s call, getting into it with Schroder after Booker’s ejection. It then resulted in Crowder getting a technical and the forward also being ejected from the game.

In a postgame interview, Anthony Davis expressed his irritation over Booker’s move.

“Can’t happen,” he said. “Can’t do that. … It’s a dirty play. Dennis could have really got hurt there.”

It was an ugly finish to what was an ugly 109-95 loss for the Suns.

Head coach Monty Williams recognized it was a tense game for his team with emotions running high.

He said the Suns have discussed all season long how to hold their poise in difficult situations, but sometimes, especially in playoff basketball, it can be hard to manage.

“The way we’ve played, some of the press that we’ve gotten, when we play well, teams are going to try to get under our skin and we have to be able to weather that,” he said.

“And it’s tough at times when you feel like you’re being fouled or somebody’s doing something that you don’t think is right,” he added. “But we’ve shown that when we can stay steady with our poise and emotions, we can weather that. Tonight I don’t think we did it that well.”

The Suns will look to even the series on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for all the action.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

10 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

15 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Booker, Crowder ejected in final seconds of Suns’ loss to Lakers