Devin Booker and Paul George fought during a Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Clippers game on January 3, 2021. Cam Payne's block of George's floater started the fight.
George was upset when Payne fell on him, and Booker defended him by calling him soft. A furious argument ensued between Booker and George.
The Suns, led by Booker, defeated the Clippers in the 2021 Western Conference Finals (with Kawhi Leonard unavailable) and the next season's NBA Playoffs round.
Western Conference hopefuls will face off at Footprint Center for the first time since a summer stalemate in which Booker blamed George for starting the feud.
When we played Phoenix, discussions heated up. I don't know where it went bad "George told Bleacher Report after Booker's accusation.
George continued, "I considered Devin my league brother at first. However, something changed, and our relationship ended."
"It's all part of the competition," before Wednesday's team shootaround, adding that the problem hasn't been settled since he defended Cam Payne's block on George in 2021.
Booker and George have shown that their enmity is driven by basketball and competition. Booker says their conflicts are on the court and that it's all about the game.