‘Shut the f*** up’: Superstars separated after fiery clash as KD explodes in NBA thriller
Kevin Durant produced a 37-point masterpiece because the Phoenix Suns defeated Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 130-126 in a fiery Western Conference NBA duel.
A much-hyped conflict which pitted Durant towards former Brooklyn team-mate Kyrie Irving didn’t disappoint with 13 lead modifications in a contest that went right down to the wire.
Durant, traded to Phoenix in a blockbuster transfer from the Nets final month, delivered a signature efficiency to information the Suns to a gutsy victory on the street.
The 34-year-old scored the go-ahead basket with lower than 12 seconds remaining earlier than including two late free throws to ice the sport.
Watch a median of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season video games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Durant obtained help from Devin Booker, who added 36 factors, 10 assists and 5 rebounds, whereas Chris Paul added 11 factors.
Doncic in the meantime completed with 34 factors for Dallas with Irving contributing 30 factors and Tim Hardaway Jr. including 21 off the bench.
Tempers flared within the dying seconds with Doncic and Booker going nose-to-nose after the Slovenian squandered a comparatively easy probability to tie the sport with six seconds remaining.
Doncic confronted Booker after the Phoenix star appeared to taunt the Dallas talisman for the miss, triggering a confrontation between gamers from each groups.
ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon tweeted that Doncic instructed Booker to “shut the f*** up” earlier than the pair got here collectively.
Both gamers have been requested concerning the trade after the sport, with Booker revealing he was truly speaking to the referee on the time and accusing Doncic of beginning the trade.
“I’m not here to tattle tale,” mentioned Booker when requested what was mentioned.
“I was talking to the ref. He said something to me the first time, I responded. You guys say you don’t want everybody to be friendly-friendly. There you go, we got some smoke.”
Doncic didn’t wish to provide a lot both, though he nonetheless took a cheeky jab at Booker within the course of.
“It’s fine,” the Mavericks famous person mentioned.
“It’s just a competitive game. All good. Next time, just don’t wait until there’s three seconds left to talk.”
Phoenix improved 36-29 to remain in fourth spot within the West whereas Dallas fell to 33-32. The Mavs are in seventh, simply outdoors the automated postseason locations.
