The technical fouls were piling high in the third quarter. So was Devin Booker’s point total and the Phoenix Suns’ lead.
By the time the whistles finally stopped, the Suns were well on their way to a 134-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in a game that featured Klay Thompson’s first career ejection and seven technical fouls.
Booker scored 34 points and Deandre Ayton added 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today
“I thought emotionally, we kept it together when it was starting to get a little squirrelly,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “We were able to make enough plays during that time where we could get back to solid.”
Both teams lost their cool at various times during the third quarter, with all of the technical fouls called in less than 6 minutes. Thompson received two quick technicals and was ejected after having words with Booker, who also received a technical because of the exchange.
During the argument, Thompson held up four fingers to signify the four championships the Warriors have won over the past decade. Those rings did not help on Tuesday. The veteran guard finished with two points on 1-for-8 shooting, including 0 of 5 from three-point range.
It was the five-time All-Star’s first career ejection in 651 regular-season games.
“I love Klay Thompson, I have for a really long time, but that doesn’t excuse us from being competitive and talking to each other,” Booker said. “I’ve always admired his game, how he plays on both sides of the ball, and obviously the rings speak for themselves, but I’m going to bring it every time.”
Golden State’s Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr, along with Phoenix players Chris Paul and Ayton were also whistled for technicals for various outbursts in the third, with most of that ire directed at the officials.
“I’m not one to get into what guys are taking about on the floor,” Green said. “There was chirping on both ends.”
Thompson did not speak with the media following the game.
In the midst of the third-quarter chaos, the Suns were playing well and their lead grew to 19 points by the end of the quarter. Without Thompson, the defending NBA champs were never able to mount a rally and the Suns kept a comfortable lead throughout the fourth.
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