On Tuesday night, the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors played at Scotiabank Arena with no fans allowed due to Toronto’s COVID-19 restrictions. However, the Toronto Raptors’ mascot — simply known as “The Raptor” — was in attendance, and it made Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker very frustrated during crucial free throws in the game’s final seconds.
Booker was at the charity stripe with 6.5 seconds remaining and the Suns leading 94-92, and he showed some frustration at something going on behind the basket. That something was The Raptor, who was doing its best to play the part of Toronto fans and distract Booker during the free throws. The official even sent The Raptor away.
The TSN announcers couldn’t believe it.
The Raptor lives rent free in the heads of his opponents. 😂 pic.twitter.com/7GOgV5qBJ0
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 12, 2022
been a long time since ive laughed this hard. *this* is what Booker was mad at. look at that verticality!!! pic.twitter.com/IodruVIsbZ
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 12, 2022
Amazing.
Booker fought through The Raptor’s mind games to make both free throws, and the Suns won 99-95.
After the game, Booker was asked about The Raptor and said, “We hashed it out. We homies now.”
Devin Booker on his deal with the Raptors mascot: "We hashed it out. We homies now."
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 12, 2022
More Devin Booker: "I was trying to get him out the way. It worked. I'm glad to be shooting it without him down there. We play shooting game all the time every day and these two do the same thing and I complain then. That's just me." pic.twitter.com/r6Kz2W5C8o
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 12, 2022
[Photo Credit: TSN]
