Warriors’ Klay Thompson regrets 4-rings taunt to Devin Booker: ‘Not really proud of that one’
Thompson earned his 1st career ejection against Phoenix in October
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has done his fair share of trash-talking during his 11-year career, but there is one instance he regrets.
Early on during the 2022-23 season, Thompson earned the first ejection of his career in a game against the Phoenix Suns after exchanging words with three-time All-Star Devin Booker.
Andre Iguodala, #9, Stephen Curry, #30, Draymond Green, #23, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors pose with their championship rings in front of a championship banner during a ceremony prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on Oct. 18, 2022 in San Francisco. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
At one point, Thompson held up four fingers for the number of championships he and the Warriors have won.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NBA PLAYERS UNION CALLS ORLANDO MAGIC'S POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION 'ALARMING'
Looking back, Thompson wishes he would have gone about the exchange differently.
"I was in my feelings though. Book was busting my a-- that day. I was not where I needed to be. Stuff doesn’t age well and that didn’t age well for me. I don’t need to be flexing four rings, bro. Everybody know that. That’s on Wikipedia," Thompson said on "Podcast P with Paul George."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"My game wasn’t where it was at, and we all get insecure at times. I’m man enough to admit that. We all have our moments of weakness. So, I’m not really proud of that one."
Devin Booker, #1 of the Phoenix Suns, drives the ball against Klay Thompson, #11 of the Golden State Warriors, during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on Oct. 25, 2022 in Phoenix. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Thompson struggled before being ejected from the game against Phoenix, shooting 1-8 from the field and missing all five attempts from the three-point line.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Booker had 34 points in a 134-105 win over Golden State.
"Because I see Devin Booker and I should be like, man, I should be proud of this young man," Thompson continued. "The work he’s put in. He survived a tough regime in Phoenix where everyone getting traded, he’s playing for a new coach every year, but now he’s a franchise player because he just kept working. So, I admire the guys who have work ethic like that, you know?"
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Devin Booker, #1 of the Phoenix Suns, handles the ball against Klay Thompson, #11 of the Golden State Warriors, during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on Nov. 16, 2022 in Phoenix. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix and Golden State wound up having disappointing seasons, with both teams losing in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
The quick exits from the playoffs led to both teams making changes in the offseason.
The Warriors traded Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul while Phoenix acquired three-time All-Star from the Wizards, parking him alongside Booker and Kevin Durant.