The Phoenix Suns clinched a convincing 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.
Devin Booker scored 34 points and Deandre Ayton added 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Suns.
“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 six minutes. Thompson received two quick technicals and was ejected after having words with Booker, who also received a technical because of the exchange.
At one point during the argument, Thompson held up four fingers to signify the four championships the Warriors have won over the past decade. Those rings didn’t 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,” Booker said. “But that doesn’t excuse us from being competitive and talking to each other. 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 also were 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. There was chirping on both ends,” said Green.
Thompson didn’t speak with the media following the game. Kerr said Thompson simply got frustrated, which led to the ejection.
“His shot wasn’t going,” Kerr said. “Some decent looks early didn’t go and I thought he got a little frustrated. I love the competitiveness. Obviously, he took it too far with the ejection, but I love the fire. Klay is an incredible competitor. We need his energy.”
The Suns improved to 3-1 for the season while the Warriors fell to 2-2.
“Once we got down, I thought we started jacking shots,” Kerr said. “We stopped moving the ball in the second half. Same thing happened against Sacramento the other night. We kind of lost our way.”