Klay Thompson was ejected during a timeout after he chirped at the other player. 1:45.
Klay Thompson was ejected for the first time in his career after picking up two technical fouls in the third quarter of the Warriors' loss to the Suns.
In 759 regular-season and playoff games, the five-time All-Star had never been ejected.
According to Booker, Thompson had been yelling at him for several minutes through the third quarter, repeating that he had four rings. Both players were given double technicals for bumping chests with 612 minutes remaining in the quarter.
Warriors forward Draymond Green said there was a lot of chatter on both ends. The Suns were emotional.
Thompson began to walk away as Bridges entered him. Thompson was slapped with his second technical and ejected after shoving Bridges away. Thompson had to be held back by two people.
He had more to say after he was thrown out. He's engaged in that respect because it matters to him.
There were seven technical fouls in the third quarter between the two teams. Warriors coach Steve Kerr, along with players Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton were whistled for technicals for yelling at the officials. Over the past 25 seasons, those seven technicals were the most in a single quarter.
I don't think it's personal for either team. Monty Williams said that they respect them because they're the champion. They will get our best because they are the best. A lot of the emotion is related to being competitive. We understand that once all that stuff happens, we need to get back to being competitive and trying to win the game.
Thompson waved at the Suns' bench while pointing to his hand, repeating the same message he had said in Booker's ear.
Booker said they are just two competitors. Klay Thompson is my favorite player. I have been for a while. We're competitive and talking to each other. He plays both ends of the ball well. The rings talk for themselves.
Booker said they had four rings, repeated over and over, and they did.
The media didn't hear anything from Thompson after the game.
Thompson was 0-for-4 with Booker as the primary defender. He ended the night with 2 points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Booker was the leading scorer with 34 points on 10-of-19 shooting. He made 11 of 14 fouls. Through four games of the season, Booker has scored 130 points, the most ever by a Suns player.
When Klay was in his prime, he went at it with Book one night in Oracle and it was the same type of thing. They're both competitive, they're guarding each other, and this is the NBA. It's the highest competition in the world.
Thompson is frustrated by his current minutes restriction as he returns to full fitness. When he came back from a two-year hiatus last season, Thompson said he didn't expect to have to be patient.
Klay cares a lot about his impact on the team. He's trying to force it at the moment. The man is trying too hard. He did that many times before the injuries. There are 78 games left.
The Suns led by 19 points at the end of the first quarter, and they were playing well in the third. The defending NBA champ were never able to mount a rally without Thompson, and the Suns kept a comfortable lead the rest of the way.
Curry said that there was a different glow when they were defending their title. The teams are trying to get their crowd into it. They fed off of their emotions and capitalized on it.
The Suns defeated the Warriors 22-9 after Thompson was ejected. Kerr doesn't think that was when the game ended. Phoenix attempted 34 free throws to Golden State's 17 and made 28 of them.
Kerr said that they lost their way. There's a lot of work to be done." We are nowhere near where we need to be right now. We are a poor defensive team and that does not win in this league.
Kerr said that the Warriors' transition defense was their biggest problem. Kerr said that they were late on rotation as they got that issue cleaned up. The Warriors allowed the Suns to score 72 points in the first half, the third time this season they have given up at least 70 points in a half.
The commitment to defense is not there. We have to be better at that and it starts with me. We will make sure we get there. We are a good offensive team and a bad defensive team. I don't think that will happen. We have to commit to it to change it.
The AP information was included in the report.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
