Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker wasn’t very happy with the Toronto Raptors mascot in the final moments of the Suns-Raptors matchup Tuesday night (January 11).
With less than seven seconds left in the game, Booker took exception to the Raptors mascot, a red velociraptor wearing sneakers and a jersey, standing behind the basket trying to distract the all-star while he was shooting free throws. The Suns were only up 93-92, so the free throws were critical.
After Booker’s first basket rattled in to make the score 94-92, a visibly annoyed Booker is seen telling one of the referees that the mascot is bothering him. It’s not known if Booker, himself, asked the ref to make the Raptor move, but seconds later, the pesky dinosaur is seen walking away from the basket and taking a knee, so he won’t be a bother.
Because of the city of Toronto’s strict COVID-19 policies, the mascot was the only “fan” in the arena watching the game. The game’s commentators quickly joked and laughed about the scenario. “Booker is complaining about the Raptor – the lone fan that is there,” one commentator said. “[The ref] sent him away!”
After the game, in which the Suns won 99-95, Booker explained what his issue was with the Raptor. “I was just trying to get him out the way,” he said during the post-game press conference. “It worked. I’d rather be shooting [free throws] without him down there.”
Later Booker gave a quick update about his newfound and apparently short-lived rivalry: “We hashed it out,” he said. “We’re homies now.”
Things got even me hilarious when Devin Booker changed his profile picture to the Raptor’s mascot.
The Raptor’s mascot responded in turn with his own new profile pic.