Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels was ejected with 20 seconds remaining in Wednesday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns after poking Suns guard Devin Booker in the face at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
McDaniels and Booker were sharing some words throughout the game. During a sequence in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, McDaniels poked Booker in the face, and both players were hit with technical fouls. McDaniels, however, was also ejected because of the contact with Booker’s face. The Wolves, though, already secured their 121-113 win.
Devin Booker & Jaden McDaniels.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 30, 2025
Jaden McDaniels talking shit with Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards loves it pic.twitter.com/psElhFvKw7
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) January 30, 2025
If that wasn’t weird enough, it wasn’t even the first ejection of the game. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was ejected during the third quarter after picking up his second technical foul of the game. Finch was furious as he exited, but his fiery outburst appeared to spark the Wolves, who shortly after took their largest lead of the game and put away the Suns.
In a heated matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns, tensions boiled over as Jaden McDaniels found himself in hot water after poking Suns’ star Devin Booker.
The incident occurred in the third quarter when McDaniels, frustrated with a call, approached Booker and gave him a playful poke on the chest. However, the referees deemed the action as unsportsmanlike and gave McDaniels a technical foul, resulting in his ejection from the game.
The ejection came as a blow to the Timberwolves, who were already trailing the Suns by a significant margin. McDaniels’ absence only added to their struggles as they ultimately fell to Phoenix.
While the poke may have been intended as harmless banter, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining composure on the court. Emotions can run high in competitive games, but players must remember to channel their energy in a positive and respectful manner.
As for McDaniels, he will likely face disciplinary action from the league for his actions. Hopefully, this incident serves as a learning experience for the young player and he can move forward with a renewed focus on sportsmanship and fair play.
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Jaden McDaniels, Devin Booker, NBA, basketball, ejection, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, altercation, sportsmanship, technical foul, NBA game, confrontation, player behavior, competitive sports
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