“Big Fan of His”: Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker Admits He Still Has Massive Respect For the Klay Thompson Who Got Ejected
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 134-105 on Tuesday night in a game that included seven technical fouls, Klay Thompson’s first career ejection, and 34 points from Devin Booker. Deandre Ayton added 16 points and 14 rebounds. Klay Thompson of the Warriors did something during Tuesday night’s game against the Suns that he had never done in his NBA career: he was ejected. It’s still early in the NBA season.
The Suns were ahead 81-76 at the halfway point of the third quarter when the fun began. Deandre Ayton’s tech came after Chris Paul’s, Deraymond Green’s, and Deandre Ayton’s had all received them for separate reasons.
Devin Booker shows respect to Klay Thompson despite the fiery exchange
Here’s what Devin Booker said when asked about the incident with Klay Thompson: “I love Klay Thompson and I have from the beginning… I’m a big fan of his and his competitive nature and that’s that.”
"I love Klay Thompson. … That doesn't excuse us from competing against each other"
D-Book still has respect for Klay even after their exchange tonight 💯 pic.twitter.com/vTgchdoAzy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 26, 2022
Before being ejected, Thompson had a difficult night. He had made only 1-of-8 field goal attempts and 0-of-5 three-point attempts, finishing with two points and two assists. In his illustrious career, Klay Thompson has appeared in 759 games. He has never been sent off in any of these matches. But for the Warriors, today is a night of firsts. After receiving a second technical during a timeout, Klay was dismissed.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson shot 0-for-4, including 0-for-3 from 3-point range, with Devin Booker as his primary defender tonight before his first career ejection. pic.twitter.com/04Wi30FHCB
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 26, 2022
Later in the quarter, Jordan Poole’s controversial take foul on Devin Booker would result in yet another technical penalty, which was witnessed by the Footprint Center audience. According to the TNT broadcast, the third quarter’s seven technical fouls were the highest in the NBA since the 1996–97 season.
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