Devin Booker Reacts to Ejection After Exchange With Draymond Green
The Golden State Warriors' season is over. The Phoenix Suns ended it Friday night, convincingly winning 111-96 in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament finale to claim the No. 8 seed and eliminate the Blue and Gold from postseason contention.
Jalen Green led the Suns with a game-high 36 points on 14-of-20 shooting, including 8-of-14 from three, while Devin Booker added 20 points and 8 assists.
On the Warriors' side, Brandin Podziemski led with 23 points and 10 boards, while Stephen Curry struggled badly, finishing with 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
However, the game ended with absolute fireworks. With less than two minutes left and the game already decided, Draymond Green fouled Devin Booker away from the play. Booker went to the free‑throw line, while Green walked to the Warriors bench and hugged Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr.
Though the touching moment offered an uncertainty around the team's future, that foul was the start of actual chaos that unfolded within a short time.
Green and Booker kept arguing during the dead ball, drawing double technicals. Seconds later, referee Scott Foster ejected both with 1:04 remaining. Green, who finished with 5 points and 5 turnovers, became animated following his ejection and taunting the hostile Phoenix crowd as he headed to the locker room.
Booker, for his part, took the high road after the game. The Suns guard put the moment in context with a sharp analogy, saying he understood exactly what he was dealing with.
"It's nothing man. I've been there before, and I understand the situation," Booker said. "My big brother used to beat me in NBA Live back in the day, and I'd throw a fit. He's a competitor, he loves the sport."
"It's nothing man. I've been there before and I understand the situation. My big brother used to beat me in NBA Live back in the day and I'd throw a fit. He's a competitor. He loves the sport."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 18, 2026
Devin Booker on his interaction with Draymond Green that led to Green being ejected… pic.twitter.com/YjKcGt3KPF
It was a calm response to a night that easily could have escalated further. Their fiery exchange had already triggered a review for a flagrant foul. Officials didn't upgrade the call, but the argument that followed got both players ejected.
The NBA hasn't announced any fines or suspensions for the double ejection, but officials are still reviewing the incident.
Because the Warriors were eliminated, any suspension for Green wouldn't start until next season. He finished the year with 13 technical fouls and two ejections, putting him close to the automatic suspension threshold had the season continued.
The stakes are higher for Booker, as any penalty could sideline him for the Suns' first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since the ejections were for arguing, most experts expect fines instead of missed playoff games.
Related: Draymond Green Addresses Future With Warriors After Loss to Suns
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 12:01 PM.