Grant Williams and Devin Booker scuffle fuels Mavericks and Suns rivalry

Last night, the Dallas Mavericks put on a show in the desert as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 128-114.

Luka Doncic had a career night as he finished with 50 points and 15 assists while shooting 15-25 from the field and 8-16 from downtown. He was hitting deep threes with ease and even scored his 10,000th career point in the NBA.

This was a sweet way to end the NBA's Christmas Day schedule, as Dallas got back to their winning ways, and fans got to see Dereck Lively II return. The rookie big man has been essential for Dallas' success, and he finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds with a +18 plus/minus.

Grant Williams and Devin Booker scuffle fuels Mavericks and Suns rivalry

Just like almost every Mavs-Suns game, there was plenty of smack talk and physical play toward the end of the game, and it started with a hard foul by Devin Booker on Grant Williams.

Williams drove to the bucket after a pump fake from the left corner, and as he was going up for the layup Booker hit him in the head. This is a play that should have been reviewed for a flagrant foul, as Booker made contact with Williams' head, but there was no review.

As Williams shot the free throws following the hard foul from Booker, the smack talk continued.

On the following possession, Booker tried to set a back screen on Williams, and Williams ran through Booker. Williams and Booker then got tangled up, eventually resulting in a double technical on both players that ended with them having to be separated.

These teams obviously don't like each other, and Williams knows that.

Towards the end of the season last year, Booker and Doncic got into it at the end of the game, and they had to be separated. There was also tons of drama during Dallas' playoff series with the Suns in 2022 that ultimately ended with Dallas winning in seven games.

Williams even spoke about how excited he was for the rivalry that Dallas has with Phoenix over the offseason multiple times.

"Phoenix and him and Luka already have this little beef going. I might be able to join in on some competitive vibes."

Grant Williams

Williams also said that his favorite road city was Phoenix over the summer, and attributed that to liking "Phoenix as a city," but also talked about the excitement of joining in on the rivalry with Doncic and Booker.

For all the latest on Grant Williams and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.