While the Suns had a 99-95 road win over the Raptors on Tuesday, there was one Raptor in particular that Devin Booker objected to, and he’s not on the list.
In accordance with provincial safety guidelines in Ontario, ticketed fans are not allowed to attend Raptors home games. Instead, attendance is limited to 1,000 people, which is largely made up of staff, friends, family, and the Raptors’ mascot, aptly named “The Raptor.”
With the Suns leading a point late in the final seconds of the game, Booker stepped to the line in hopes of ending the game.
After scoring his first free throw, Visibly frustrated Booker pointed to the section behind the basket and tells a referee that someone jumped when he fired the ball. Suns forward Jae Crowder also pointed in the same direction, drawing attention to what had just happened.
While the Suns announcers (who did not attend) incorrectly assumed he was a ball boy, it turns out that Booker was pointing at the Raptors mascot, who, as the only “fan” in the arena, attempted to distract 87.1. percent free throw shooter with game in play.
In response to Booker and Crowder’s complaints, the Raptor was banished to the corner of the floor, out of Booker’s field of vision.
Booker would score the second free throw to put the Suns up by three points with 6.5 seconds remaining.
Is there a dispute brewing? With the Suns getting the win, Booker indicated that the gap between him and the Raptor is water under the bridge and told reporters “now we are calm.”
It is good that it is resolved.