Klay Thompson was the protagonist at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, but this time not because of his enormous talent displayed on the track. The Golden State Warriors player lost his temper in the game against the Suns, which ended in a resounding defeat for the defending NBA champions (134-105).
For the first time in his career, the American shooting guard was sent off after receiving a technical double in the third quarter. With seven minutes remaining in the period, Thompson had his pluses and minuses with Devin Booker, the star of the night at the end with 34 points and seven assists. The verbal altercation turned on Thompson, who showed him the four fingers of one hand. “I have four rings, and you?” He told her in the middle of the parquet.
Minutes later sparks flew again due to a disproportionate foul by Draymond Green. The melee between the two teams ended with Thompson shoving Booker, who saw the technique as did Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Green himself and Suns players Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul.
In the case of Thompson, it was the second and had to go to the locker room for misconduct for the first time in 796 games in the North American league. She did it by throwing insults towards the rival bench. The 32-year-old’s frustration was also heightened by his poor game: he failed to hit a three-pointer in his five attempts and went into the shower with just two points in 19 minutes on the court.
After the game, Booker wanted to iron out the matter without drawing blood. “I love Klay Thompson. That does not mean that we compete between the two and have some pique,” he confessed. “Since the beginning. Since the draft. He’s one of the best. But there is strong competition,” he admitted.
After losing Thompson, the Warriors went on a 51-28 run that propelled the Suns to their third victory in four games. For their part, the Warriors have two wins and two losses. His best man was Steph Curry with 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
Booker set a Suns record by scoring at least 30 points for the third time in four games this season and led, along with Chris Paul’s 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists and Deandre’s double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds. Ayton, the victory over the Warriors.
