Doncic, Booker trade harsh words following dustup

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) exchange words and have to be separated late in the fourth quarter at the American Airlines Center. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic and Devin Booker trade harsh words following dustup

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/6/23

After bumping heads in last year's playoffs, there appears to be no love lost between stars Luka Doncic and Devin Booker.

During the Phoenix Suns' 130-126 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, Booker jeered Doncic after he missed the potential game-tying bucket with 3.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Doncic responded by charging Booker, and the two jawed face-to-face before teammates interfered.

Things got heated between Luka and Book pic.twitter.com/wT3IhISall
— ESPN (@espn) March 5, 2023

Speaking with reporters after the game, Doncic wouldn't reveal what Booker said to set him off. But, he gave Booker some advice ahead of their next meeting.

"Next time, just don't wait until there's three seconds left to talk," Doncic said via Landon Thomas of Mavs Fan for Life.

While Booker said he had no issues with Doncic "on or off the court," he didn't give off the impression the two were buddies.

"You guys say you don't want everybody to be friendly, friendly," Booker said via Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. "There you go. We got some smoke."

Late in the season, the games mean more, so the tension understandably rises, especially in competitors like Doncic and Booker.

While some may find their behavior unbecoming, others may argue it's good for the game. Seemingly, Doncic and Booker's beef isn't personal. It's about winning. So, if they want to jaw about who's better or who won or lost, NBA fans should applaud.

Doncic and Booker had a similar run-in to Sunday's during and after Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals, so we likely haven't seen the last incident between the two.

The Mavericks and Suns don't meet again this season, but a matchup in the postseason is a real possibility. The Suns (36-29) are third in the West, three games ahead of the seventh-place Mavericks (33-32).

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