Devin Booker and Luka Doncic are set to face off once again during NBA Rivals Week in their 20th career meeting, adding another chapter to their ongoing rivalry. Their history dates back to the 2022 NBA playoffs when the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns clashed in the semifinals, with Doncic leading the Mavs to a Game 7 victory.
Heading into their upcoming matchup on Wednesday, Booker holds a 9-3 advantage in the regular-season series, while Doncic has the edge in the playoffs with a 4-3 record. The statistics also reflect their individual performances, with Doncic averaging 31.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists compared to Booker’s 25 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists when facing each other.
Despite their on-court competitiveness, both players have expressed mutual respect for each other. Booker highlighted their high level of respect since Doncic entered the league, emphasizing that the competitive nature of playoff series often gets misconstrued by the media.
One of the memorable interactions between the two occurred during a 2022 Western Conference semifinals game, where Booker made a comment referencing ‘The Luka Special’ after a physical play involving Doncic. In response, Doncic was captured on camera making a comment about toughness, indicating the escalating banter between the two.
As they prepare to square off once again, the spotlight will be on their intense rivalry, adding further intrigue to their upcoming matchup during NBA Rivals Week.
