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Luka Doncic got into it with Devin Booker on Sunday afternoon in a Mavericks loss to the Suns. Frustration got the best of Doncic, who got face to face with Booker at the end of regulation.
Just prior to the altercation, Luka missed an open layup that would’ve tied the game at 128-128. Instead, the ball rolled around the rim and landed safely in the hands of Phoenix’s Kevin Durant.
After the missed shot, Doncic fouled KD to send him to the line. As Luka held his head in disbelief of the missed opportunity, Booker walked by to say something to the guard.
What was said, we’re not sure. But it obviously struck a nerve with Doncic.
He quickly leapt up and got nose to nose with Booker before the pair was separated by teammates.
Luka and D-Book got chippy after Luka missed the game-tying shot 😳 pic.twitter.com/lyyhC6ni6J
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 5, 2023
After the game, Luka talked about the incident with Booker.
“It’s a competitive game. It’s all good. Next time, just don’t wait until there’s three seconds left to talk.”
D-Book saved his talking for the end of the game, and the Suns walked away with a 130-126 victory.
It’s not the first tense moment between the two star players. In last year’s NBA playoff series, the rivalry became a meme as a photo of Luka staring at Booker went viral.
In the past, Booker has called Doncic out for being a flopper, nicknaming his patented move the “Luka Special.” The two went toe to toe in a seven-game playoff series last year before the Mavs walked away with a blowout win in the deciding game.
They could be on a crash course to meet again this postseason. The Suns currently sit at fourth in the Western Conference standings while the Mavericks come in at seventh. Hopefully we’ll get to see another faceoff between these two rivals.