PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid were hit with double technical fouls after the first half came to a close on Saturday night.
Midway through a 109-103 76ers win at Mortgage Matchup Center, Booker jawed with his former Team USA teammate about what he believed had been a series of foul baiting during the second quarter.
The double techs were called after Booker guarded Embiid on the final play of the first half. Embiid spun and hit the deck with no call made, and the two exchanged words.
“I got into it with him a little bit at halftime,” Booker said. “I told him he’s too good of a player to be flopping like that. We had Olympic experience together, somebody I have high respect for. It’s just competition.”
“I told him he’s too good of a player to be flopping like that.”
Devin Booker on what led to the double-technicals with Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/xsJRFZif1F
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 8, 2026
Booker and Embiid won a gold medal together at the 2024 Olympics in Paris and have competed against each other in the NBA for a decade.
But Booker and the Suns were frustrated by a series of foul calls in the second quarter which sent Embiid to the free-throw line for eight shots in less than five minutes. Suns forward Dillon Brooks went further by saying the refs did a good job for Philadelphia.
Devin Booker & Joel Embiid exchange words. 👀🍿
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 8, 2026
Booker was confused by the technical fouls called, claiming the referee did not hear what was said.
“ I asked the ref, ‘What’d I say?’ He said, ‘I don’t know what you said. I just saw you guys talking to each other,’” Booker said. “It’s crazy out here.”
Devin Booker & Joel Embiid exchange words. 👀🍿
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 8, 2026
Brooks called out Embiid for flopping, as well, which is something the big man has been criticized for throughout his career. Embiid has been successful at getting to the charity stripe, having led the NBA in free-throw attempts per game three times.
“They’re fouls, but he’s swiping through at you, so it’s a tough situation to be in,” Booker said. “Ugly style of basketball.”
The 76ers ended up out-shooting the Suns just 34-31 at the free-throw line on Saturday, with the bigger disparity on 3-point shooting (11-for-29 for Philadelphia, 11-for-46 for Phoenix) and rebounding (50-40 76ers).
Embiid finished the game with 33 points, while Booker scored 21.
The Suns get two days to flush a frustrating loss, as they take on the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
