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Timeline of Luka Doncic and Devin Booker’s rivalry

admin24 January 2024Last Update :
Timeline of Luka Doncic and Devin Booker's rivalry

Timeline of Luka Doncic and Devin Booker’s rivalry،

  • Anthony Gharib, ESPNJanuary 24, 2024, 3:00 p.m.

Devin Booker and Luka Doncic have had their share of history in recent years.

The rivalry between the two peaked during the 2022 NBA Playoffs when the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns faced off in the semifinals. Doncic brought the Mavs back from a 3-2 deficit, winning Game 7 on the road in a 123-90 blowout.

Booker and Doncic face off Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET on ABC) during NBA Rivals Week, their 20th career meeting (regular season and playoffs).

Booker leads the regular season series 9-3, but Doncic has the edge in the playoffs with a 4-3 record. The averages aren't particularly close between the two when they face each other: Doncic's splits are 31.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists compared to 25 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists. for Booker.

Despite the arguments on the field, there is a certain respect between the two.

“The respect that Luka and I have for each other is mutual and at a high level since he came into the league,” Booker said before Christmas Day. “Obviously a playoff series becomes extremely competitive, like every game. But the world accepts it and runs with it and it's great, it's good for the game.”

Here's a look at some memorable interactions between Doncic and Booker.

The 'Luka Special'

During a 110-80 victory in Game 5 of the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals, Booker didn't hesitate to take a shot at Doncic.

Booker drove to the basket, but was knocked to the ground by forward Dorian Finney-Smith. The Suns guard remained on the ground for a few seconds after the play.

As he stood up, Booker looked at a fan recording video of the scene and said, “The Luka special,” an alleged shot at Doncic exaggerating the foul calls.

Luka responds

Game 5 seemed to be the turning point of not only the series, but also the competitive banter between Doncic and Booker. The feud intensified when Doncic left the court for the Mavs locker room.

ABC 15 in Arizona caught Doncic saying, “Everyone acts tough when they're up.” » It's unclear if this was aimed at Booker, but the Suns' trash talk caught Doncic's attention.

The birth of a meme

Doncic delivered one of the most impressive performances in NBA playoff history in Game 7.

He matched the Suns' first-half point total (27), becoming the first player in the last 25 playoffs to match or exceed the opposing team's point total in a half, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Doncic finished with 35 points and 10 rebounds on 12-of-19 shooting in just 30 minutes.

Booker called the 123-90 loss “good old fashioned…whooping” and added that nothing went wrong between him and Doncic. The blowout victory eliminated the Suns and spawned a popular meme.

“Don’t wait until there are three seconds left to speak”

The Mavs had a chance to win a close game in March 2023 when Doncic drove to the basket on Josh Okogie, who fell to the hardwood. No foul was called and Doncic missed the floater. Kevin Durant grabbed the rebound and Phoenix continued to win.

Booker pointed at Okogie and yelled at Doncic. Seconds later, the Mavs star lunged at Booker and the two clashed, although the confrontation was quickly broken up.

Doncic had a simple reflection on the moment after the game: “It's okay, it's just a competitive game man, it's all good. Next time, don't wait until there's three seconds left to speak.”

Friendly congratulations

During the Mavs and Suns Christmas Day game, a sweet moment was captured between two competitive opponents.

Booker congratulated Doncic on his daughter, who was born earlier in December.

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