"Shut up ni*a, I don't like you": Devin Booker blasted by rookie over 'fake a* hustle' remark

Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn is proof that one of the best ways to gain the respect of teammates, including team leader Devin Booker, and more playing time is to show effort.

On Thursday night, Dunn was jokingly heckled by Booker over his decision to dive into the crowd to save the ball in the Suns' 123-115 win against the Atlanta Hawks at Footprint Center.

"Shut up ni*a. I don't like you bro! Go home, go home, go home!" Dunn said to Devin Booker after the latter called his dive into the stands "fake a* hustle."

Dunn continued:

"See what I gotta deal with every day? Don't worry, Imma get him to do that one day."

Dunn has been a revelation for the Suns this season after the team traded for him with the Denver Nuggets after they selected him with the 28th pick in the 2024 draft. Booker, the team's starting shooting guard, has spoken highly of the rookie so far this season, but he's not immune from the normal heckling and hazing that first year players are subjected to.

Speaking with Suns reporter Gerald Bourguet in the locker room after the Suns' win, Dunn also added:

"I'm just trying to make a hustle play, it's just something that I try to do on this team. It's my role, and it's something I want to do."

Dunn has played in a scrappy way ever since he entered the NBA, including this hustle play against Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies. - Source: Imagn

Devin Booker will try to right ship for Suns and get them back into playoff contention

Devin Booker, along with other veteran players on the Phoenix roster, have their work cut out from here on. The team will need solid contributions from every player if it hopes to climb up the Western conference standings.

As of the time of writing, the Suns sit at 12th place in the West, but they are only three games behind the sixth-placed LA Lakers.

Booker had 20 points and 12 assists in the win Thursday. The 10-year veteran is averaging 24.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists this season. After an encouraging win, Booker will look to propel the Suns back into the thick of the Western Conference playoff conversation.