Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker recently returned fire at Minnesota’s NBA and WNBA teams after the Timberwolves and the Lynx seemingly bragged about prevailing over their respective Phoenix-based opponents, the Suns and the Mercury, in the playoffs.
Booker and the Suns were unexpectedly swept 4-0 by the Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs in late April. The Anthony Edwards-led Wolves then defeated the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals in a best-of-seven stretch before ultimately bowing down to the eventual Finals runner-up Dallas Mavericks in their first conference finals appearance since 2004.
On the women’s side, five months later, Napheesa Collier and the Lynx swept the Mercury 2-0 in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, making light work of Brittney Griner and company on Wednesday. The game would also apparently be Diana Taurasi’s final game after she teased retirement in their final regular-season game.
Shortly after the Lynx secured their semifinals spot, the Minnesota teams collaborated on an Instagram post that appeared to rub salt to the Phoenix teams’ wounds. “Tough year for Phoenix,” the caption read.
However, Devin Booker would have none of it as he replied to the post, calling both Minnesota franchises out for seemingly celebrating too soon. “Second-round champs,” he commented.
The Suns entered the playoffs with championship aspirations, only to get eliminated early in the playoffs, not to mention going out winless. Booker’s comment couldn’t seem to hide his bitterness at the fact.
Devin Booker could bounce back and become 2024-25 season MVP, says Kevin Garnett
Devin Booker might not be popular in Minnesota these days, but Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett sees something special in the Phoenix Suns star.
The NBA Hall of Famer predicted on an episode of his “KG Certified” podcast last month that Booker could bounce back from the Suns’ early playoff exit and become a 2024-25 season MVP candidate, citing his Olympic experience and victory in Paris last summer as added motivation for him.
“[Phoenix] got two superstars that played this summer, that means something. That means they’re in rhythm,” Garnett said. “I’m telling you, bro, Phoenix is gonna be better than what most [people think] … Devin Booker can be an MVP, you know what I’m saying?”
Booker finished fourth in the MVP voting during the 2021-22 season, a year after he helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals. Ever since, the four-time All-Star has been out of the discussion.
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