'Shut the F*** Up!' Luka Doncic vs. Devin Booker; Benches Clear in Mavs Loss to Suns
DALLAS - Part of Sunday's marquee NBA game was about the first matchup between Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant since the two superstars were traded from the Brooklyn Nets - Kyrie to the Dallas Mavs, KD to the Phoenix Suns,
But once the game unfolded, especially in the final moments, this nationally televised contest was also about two established young stars ... and their "Shut the F*** up!'' conflict.
The Suns lifted their record to 36-29 in part due to the performance of Devin Booker, who especially interjected himself into the spotlight on the Mavs' final key possession on the way to a 130-126 loss at the AAC.
With the Mavs trailing 128-126 on their final possession with 12.1 seconds remaining in regulation, Doncic drove the lane and had a finish attempt roll out. Booker and Doncic exchanged words at center court shortly after. ... with Booker appearing to taunt Luka for having missed the close-in shot.
Booker demonstratively pointed at a spot on the floor, and maybe said a few magic words, drawing Doncic to go face-to-face and chest-to-chest with Booker.
And during the face-bumping and the chest-thumping, Luka was reportedly heard to say, "Shut the F*** up!''
Durant hauled in the rebound before that confrontation - which caused players from both benches to trot to the floor - and Doncic intentionally fouled. Durant made both free throws to put the Suns up by four to seal the victory.
Durant led all scorers with 37 points, while Booker ended with 36. There were four total scorers with at least 30 points as Doncic (34) and Irving (30) both reached the mark.
The Mavs, now 33-32, end their six-game homestand with a matchup against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
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