Devin Booker # 1 of the Phoenix Suns scores on a pitch over Dennis Schroder # 17 of the Los Angeles Lakers as LeBron James # 23 and Markieff Morris # 88 during the second quarter at the Staples Center on March 2, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How / Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers played a highly competitive basketball game Tuesday night. It was fun to watch and featured high level games during the half.
Unfortunately, the match reached a certain point in the second half, where the officials decided that they had had enough.
Shortly after LeBron James and Frank Vogel Lakers received techniques in the third quarter, Suns star guard Devin Booker was sent off after receiving two of his own.
At the moment, it was not clear exactly what happened.
The TNT broadcast showed Booker that he was receiving a technical foul and then leaving the floor. Soon word followed that Booker had been kicked out, to the confusion of the comment team covering the game off-site and everyone was watching.
After a commercial break, TNT found the video showing Booker receiving two consecutive coaches. The first seemed ordinary enough, with Booker expressing his frustration at the work done by the officials. Then Booker threw a rebound to a referee and then was given the second technique.
It’s unclear if Booker was released more by the pass or what he said. However, for a match close to a high level expelling such a star player is extremely problematic and bad for the game.
Referees will speak with a pool reporter after the match to discuss the expulsion.
Booker was the best purple player on the ground before being sent off. He finished the night with 17 points on seven of 12, three rebounds, six assists and three steals.
While Booker’s expulsion was an obvious point where the momentum of the game could change, the Suns continued to beat and end up beating the Lakers 114-104.