Things simply did not go Devin Booker and the Suns’ way in their 127-112 loss to the Celtics on Thursday night.
The Phoenix Suns had a golden opportunity to avenge their earlier defeat this season to the Boston Celtics, as they now had the services of Devin Booker in a heavyweight matchup against the team with the best record in the NBA unlike in their first matchup. However, the Celtics proved to be too strong of a team to overcome for the Suns even with Booker present, as Phoenix took a 127-112 loss despite getting 23 points and seven assists from their star man.
It was an overall difficult night for the Suns made even more challenging by the fact that Booker was involved in a scary play that did not receive a proper application of rules from the officials. During the third quarter, the Suns star rose and made a contested midrange jumper over the outstretched arms of Xavier Tillman Sr., who impeded Booker’s landing space. This caused the Booker’s left foot to land on the Celtics center’s right foot.
That is as clear of a shooting foul as it can get, but instead, the referees swallowed their whistle and allowed play to go on. In the end, the referees admitted their mistake and apologized to Devin Booker, saying they should have gave him a free throw for a blatant Celtics infraction.
“He just apologized. Said they seen it, should have called it. Don’t know how it works, but at least I got an apology,” Booker told reporters following the Suns’ loss, per Duane Rankin of AZ Central.
“He just apologized. Said they saw it, should have called it.”
Devin Booker on not getting call on shot made over Xavier Tillman in 3rd quarter of #Suns loss at #Celtics.
Hurt left ankle landing on Tillman foot. Stayed in game.”
“At least I got an apology.”
Says ankle’s fine. https://t.co/MKlXURaVbN pic.twitter.com/GkboP31Hxv
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 15, 2024
Had Devin Booker been injured, then the referees’ failure to call a foul on Xavier Tillman Sr. would have rubbed even more salt on what is still a closing wound. The Suns star, as fans would recall, missed a few games over the past week or so due to an ankle injury, so there was a strong chance that Booker could have aggravated it on a play as dangerous as the one that transpired.
Still, it’s a positive that the referees took accountability for their mistake almost immediately and that Booker doesn’t seem to be too bothered by his ankle. But overall, the Suns would want these things to go their way more often given how many frustrations they have had regarding the officiating this season.
About the Author
Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he’s a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.
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