After a third-quarter altercation led to ejections for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during Wednesday night's game, Dieng fought off two security guards and got within 15 yards of the Suns' locker room before being restrained, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7.
Dieng joked that he just wanted "to exchange jerseys" with Booker, according to Greg Moore of The Arizona Republic. He defended his actions and questioned the reasoning behind his ejection claiming Booker was the instigator.
"I think he tried to hit me," Dieng said, according to ESPN. "Everybody could see I didn't throw a punch. In this league, a lot of guys think they are tough, and they are not."
As both players were leaving the court, Dieng stared Booker down and appeared to tell him to meet in the tunnel.
Gambadoro added Booker wasn't in or anywhere near the locker room as security held him up outside the tunnel.
Devin Booker and Gorgui Dieng are both ejected after a fight and then rush into the tunnel 👀 pic.twitter.com/jR8LuhlneU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 23, 2019
Shortly after the ejections, Booker made a dash for the exit as a security guard tugged on his jersey, trying to hold him back.
@WorldWideWob Booker was pissed after getting ejected pic.twitter.com/KL1dxkX1nX
— Shelton Solum (@sheltonsolum) January 23, 2019
Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. was happy to see Booker stand up for himself.
"It’s just something that happened and as a man, you don't let somebody bow you in the face and not do anything about it or at least address them," Oubre said, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. "I salute him for that."
