The Memphis Grizzlies find themselves behind the eight-ball as they prepare for Game 4 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. They are trailing 2-1 in the series after getting thoroughly beaten in Game 3, as they managed to score only nine points in the first quarter.
Memphis trailed by 20 heading into the fourth quarter and ended up losing the game 111-101. All of the trash-talking that Dillon Brooks has been doing seemed to light a fire under the Lakers, as he was once again the center of attention.
Early in the third quarter of Game 3, Brooks struck LeBron James in the groin area. Brooks said that he was attempting to steal the ball from James bringing the ball up the court when he accidentally struck him.
While no explanation was given to him while on the court, Brooks believes that his reputation certainly played a part. The league has seemed to set a precedent by handing out Flagrant 2 fouls in the postseason as well, with James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers getting ejected for hitting Royce O’Neale of the Brooklyn Nets in the groin in Game 3 of their series.
“The media making me a villain, the fans making me a villain and then that just creates a whole different persona on me,” Brooks said. “So now you think I intended to hit LeBron James in the nuts. I’m playing basketball. I’m a basketball player. So if I intended — and that’s whatever is in the flagrant 2 category — if you think I did that, that means you think I’m that type of person.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Grizzlies did catch a break, however, as Brooks will not be facing any more discipline from the league. They have decided not to suspend him or add on any additional penalties even after reviewing the play, which the league does for every flagrant foul.
It was an outcome that Brooks was expecting despite his reputation of being an instigator and being the ire of many opponents.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be,” Brooks said. “They can’t dictate this series like that. Marc probably had to call that ’cause of what happened [in Game 3] with James Harden, and that’s just unfair. I get penalized, and I can’t help my team try to make a comeback in the second half.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
This isn’t the first time that Brooks has had a run-in with a player for striking them in the groin. He was ejected and suspended one game for doing it to Donovan Mitchell during the regular season. Saturday marked the third time that Brooks was ejected from a game this season, including the playoffs, which ties him with Marcus Smart and Malik Monk for most in the league.
“I’ve been dealing with this [for] two years now,” Brooks said. “It is what it is. The fans can talk s—, whatever they want to. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m going to keep playing my game and get better and better each and every day and as long as my career goes.”
The Grizzles would assuredly prefer that Brooks calms things down and doesn’t put himself in such compromising positions. He is too important to their game plan to land himself in hot water, whether it be ejections or technical fouls during games.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
This is the second straight postseason that Brooks has been ejected from a playoff game for a Flagrant 2 foul. He received one last year when he committed a foul that injured Gary Payton II and was suspended one game. While he avoided suspension this time, you can be sure the league will be keeping a close eye on him from here on out.
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