Oct 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in the first half of the home opener at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Suns star Devin Booker reacts to how different it is to play Mavs without Luka Doncic

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Austin Veazey | Last updated Mar 10, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns used to have a heated rivalry that always delivered. 2022's Western Conference Semifinals between Dallas and Phoenix featured plenty of back-and-forth trash talk that carried over throughout the next few seasons. And the talk, specifically between Devin Booker and Luka Doncic, was one of the better player rivalries in the NBA.

But Luka Doncic is gone now. Nico Harrison decided to trade Doncic in the middle of the night to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package that included Anthony Davis and Max Christie. Ever since then, Dallas has been in a bad way. Fans have protested the trade, been kicked out of the arena, and have chanted "Fire Nico" at basically every event in the city, even at Medieval Times.

The Mavericks and Suns played on Sunday afternoon in Dallas for the first time since the shocking trade, with Phoenix winning 125-116. And any hint of a rivalry is seemingly gone, especially as the Mavs deal with a ridiculous amount of injuries. Devin Booker was asked about what it's like to play in Dallas when Doncic isn't there.

"You can feel it when we land," Booker told reporters in Dallas. "The vibes are low right now, but hopefully they can look back and once everybody gets healthy, on top of next season, still root on their team and root on their city."

It may be hard for fans to ever accept this team. The Mavericks fanbase is proud and loyal and had a megastar who wanted to be in Dallas forever ripped away from them. It doesn't help that Anthony Davis, the key return in that trade, has played 31 total minutes before getting hurt again. They might be able to get mostly healthy for next season, but Kyrie Irving tore his ACL last week, and there's a chance he's out for all of next season. That makes it hard to compete, or for the fanbase to ever fully buy in.

This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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