During the Thursday night NBA slate, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-113. The emerging storyline wasn’t about the game’s outcome or a particular moment relating to basketball. Instead, Donovan Mitchell retaliating for Dillon Brooks striking him in the groin is what will steal headlines.
“That’s just who he is,” Mitchell said. “We’ve seen it a bunch in this league with him. Him and I have had our personal battles for years.”
Mitchell explained further: “There’s no place for that in the game. This has been brewing for years with me and other guys in the league. You all see it. This isn’t new.”
After Mitchell was thrown out of the game, Garland scored 32 points to lead Cleveland to their seventh straight win over the Grizzlies. Coaches did not name Garland as an Eastern Conference reserve despite him having an All-Star-caliber season. The Cavaliers bounced back from Tuesday’s loss to Miami thanks to 11 assists from him.
“He was brilliant,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He knew how important this game was to us and what we needed from him. That’s what leaders do.”
After Mitchell and Brooks tangled under the basket, Mitchell threw the ball at Brooks in the third quarter. Like Mitchell, Brooks also was thrown out.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Brooks fell in the lane after missing a shot with the Cavs leading 81-76. He struck Mitchell in the groin area with his arm while lying on the floor. When Mitchell dropped in pain, he fired the ball at Brooks, then charged and shoved him along the baseline in front of the Memphis bench. Officials and players handled the altercation before punches were thrown as the altercation threatened to spill into the seats. Mitchell believes Brooks should face additional penalties if the league punishes him further.
“There should be something,” he said. “This isn’t just a Donovan thing. This has happened to other players throughout this league, and it’s complete (expletive). Those guys talk (junk) and that’s fine, that’s all a part of basketball. We all grew up playing that way.
“But when you start doing cheap (stuff), that ain’t it. That’s where my frustration lies. It’s not about talking back and forth. That’s cool, but when you start doing little stuff like that.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The altercation between Brooks and Mitchell was not discussed in any detail by Brooks. Morant said the Grizzlies won’t discuss the exchange when asked about it. Brooks did say he agreed with the flagrant-2 call: “It saved me some T’s (technicals).”
The Grizzlies have a reputation as the NBA’s most talkative team, but Morant believes they’re being unfairly judged.
“Anything when it comes to negative about the Grizzlies, we normally, you know, get the punishment,” Morant said. “It ain’t the same. They (the NBA) hate us.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Cleveland’s Cedi Osman scored 21 points, and Jarrett Allen added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Evan Mobley scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Despite foul trouble most of the night, Desmond Bane scored 25 points and Morant had 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists for the Grizzlies. A thigh injury sidelined All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
