The 2022 Western Conference Semifinals saw the rise of a fierce rivalry between two young NBA superstars. In a hard-fought playoff series, Luka Doncic and Devin Booker engaged in a bitter exchange, leading to an intense rivalry. A lot has changed since this exchange, but the rivalry has still remained fresh.

Luka Doncic and Devin Booker are two phenomenal talents in the NBA. Both have led their respective franchises to deep playoff runs, also earning a terrific reputation in just a few years in the league. Their beef in the playoffs, however, made the matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns highly entertaining. This rivalry was rekindled when the Mavericks’ new acquisition shared his own experience of being on the wrong side of Devin Booker’s trash talk.

Mavericks’ new acquisition shares his experience with Devin Booker

The Dallas Mavericks have been a comparatively silent team this offseason. After setting the NBA world ablaze with their trade for 8-time All-Star, Kyrie Irving last season, they have only focused on picking up role players this season. One such player was the former Celtic, Grant Williams.

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Williams had a terrific run with the Boston Celtics since being drafted. He was a strong force off the bench for the Celtics, also having a breakout performance in the 2022 playoffs. However, after an underwhelming playoff performance in 2023, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Since his arrival in Dallas, Williams has not shied away from making bold statements. However, in a recent interview with J.J. Redick, Williams shared an interesting experience involving Devin Booker.

“The one person that talks trash to me always for some reason is Devin Booker” he said. He further added, “If you look back at that Phoenix game last season, we played them….from the start, I’m talking“.

“He said something, I made a three and from then on it, like, lit something in me” he stated. Williams also described his uncharacteristic celebrations during the game. “I was doing too small, I don’t ever celebrate and do like, put my hand on the ground and rock a baby and stuff like that…I remember talking trash the entire game to Book because for some reason he always likes to chirp” he exclaimed.

However, the 24-year-old also stated why this would help him out in Dallas. “I think that actually helps because we’re in Dallas now and Phoenix and him and Luka have this little beef going…so I might be able to join on on some awesome competitive vibes“, he said.

Williams had his say about his exchange with Booker. Booker, however, has an even major beef with the Mavericks and Luka Doncic.

Booker has a history with Dallas Mavericks

Devin Booker is an exceptional talent that has gradually become the Suns’ franchise player. His incredible shotmaking has put propelled the 26-year-old to 3 All-Star selections, also making the All-NBA First Team in 2022. However, he faced a gritty opponent in Luka Doncic in 2022.

Luka Doncic led the underdogs, Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference Semifinals. After the Phoenix Suns took a dominant 2-0 lead, their star guard Devin Booker had some words for Luka Doncic. The Slovenian however, had the last laugh, eliminating the Suns in a humiliating manner in 7 games. Furthermore, their rivalry has only grown more intense since. Their matchup in the 2023 regular season also delivered a glimpse of their intensity at the very end of the game.

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The two are exceptional talents with the potential to become Hall of Famers in the future. However, their rivalry is certainly going to be intense over the years, much to the thrill of fans. Given Grant Williams’s history with the 26-year-old, his Mavericks stint will only add fuel to the fire in this rivalry.