In the fourth quarter of the Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets game on Thursday, Devin Booker and Cam Whitmore had to be separated.
The halfway mark of the quarter saw the breaking point of what seemed to be a continuous verbal brawl between Whitmore and Booker’s Suns, who were leading by six points.
The rookie released the ball and extended his forearm towards Booker, who was trying to make a shot to make it eight points. The Suns star returned the favour by extending his elbow and striking his defender in the arm after making the jumper.
After exchanging a few words, the two continued to sprint down the floor when Whitmore shoved Booker with both hands, moving him back a few paces but without seeming to phase him. Instead of pushing him away, Booker clung to his jersey.
Whitmore appeared to attempt a hesitant swing at Booker’s face while his opponent was clinging to his equipment, but officials, staff, and teammates intervened.
Booker reviewed the event and called the foul; both players were given technical fouls. The Suns proceeded to defeat the Rockets, winning 110-105.
Booker scored 35 points and pulled down seven rebounds, which led Phoenix in scoring. He accomplished this by making 48.1% of his field goals, six of which came from three-point range.
Whitmore, on the other hand, came off Houston’s bench and outscored three of their starters with 14 points, eight rebounds, and a block in the Rockets’ defeat. The Rockets, who have now lost three straight games, are now 25-34 in the Western Conference, sitting in the 12th seed. The Suns, on the other hand, have won their last two games and are in fifth place with a 35-24 record. The teams have now met once this season and will play again on Saturday in their final regular-season encounter.
