Mavs' Luka Dončić on Suns' Trash Talk: 'Don't Wait Until There's 3 Seconds Left'

During the closing seconds of the Dallas Mavericks' loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Luka Dončić and Devin Booker got into a brief dustup that resulted in double technical fouls.

After the game, Dončić explained his feelings on the confrontation, telling reporters: "It's a competitive game. It's all good. Next time, just don't wait until there's three seconds left to talk."

Dončić had a team-high 34 points in the 130-126 loss on the Mavs' home floor at American Airlines Center. He had the chance to tie the game late, but his point-blank shot rimmed out before he fouled Kevin Durant with 3.5 seconds left.

After play was stopped, Booker mocked Dončić and the two of them ended up nose-to-nose before being separated.

The Mavs enjoyed seeing that type of fire from their star player.

"I loved it," Tim Hardaway Jr. said. "I know 77 isn't going to back down from anybody. It was bound to happen at some point, them coming face to face. Just happy it happened here at home."

While his teammates didn't mind the incident, it could end up costing Dallas in the long run. Dončić now has 14 technical fouls this season, two shy of the league limit that would result in a one-game suspension.

After falling to 33-32 this season, the Mavs are now 2-5 in games where Dončić and Kyrie Irving play together. Irving scored 30 points and three other players scored in double figures, but it was the continued defensive woes that eventually doomed Dallas.

The Mavs have allowed over 100 points in 15 straight games and over 120 points in their last three outings. That type of play won't cut it if Dallas hopes to make a deep playoff run in the competitive Western Conference.

The Mavs will look to bounce back on Tuesday at home against the Utah Jazz (31-33).