NBA Twitter went all caps crazy when Dillon Brooks put an exclamation point on the Memphis Grizzlies’ hot start against the San Antonio Spurs with a vicious dunk.
To call the Memphis Grizzlies‘ start against the San Antonio Spurs in the play-in games a hot one doesn’t quite do it justice.
Memphis blitzed San Antonio with a 38-19 first quarter, including a 27-6 run to open the contest.
Dillon Brooks was at the center of it all, emphasizing the beatdown with perhaps one of the best dunks we’ll see during this year’s NBA Playoffs.
DILLON BROOKS TAKES FLIGHT! 💥
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2021
23-6 @memgrizz start!#StateFarmPlayIn WIN or GO HOME action live now on ESPN pic.twitter.com/kQe9FGNFmI
The response from NBA Twitter was hyped.
NBA Twitter lost their minds over Dillon Brooks’ dunk
DILLON BROOKS THEY HAVE FAMILIES!!!!! pic.twitter.com/GuL3jBGVKY
— Connor Dunning (@CDunning929) May 19, 2021
WHAT IN THE LORDS NAME DID I JUST SEE DILLON BROOKS DO?! 😳
— Sami ON Tap (@SamiOnTap) May 19, 2021
HE JUST TOOK A LIFE
pic.twitter.com/FPf3ox1d8k
All caps, all day.
DILLON BROOKS OH MY GOD
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) May 19, 2021
OOOOOH DILLON BROOKS !!!
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 19, 2021
People couldn’t believe how Brooks came to play with so much fervor. The comparisons were flying left and right.
Spurs making Dillon Brooks look like 88' Jordan
— Shawna™ (@ShawnaWTF) May 20, 2021
Dillon Brooks playing like he’s back at Oregon, damn 🔥
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) May 20, 2021
They got Dillon Brooks looking like Melo out there
— Kenny (@SlamDunk_Kenny) May 20, 2021
Ja Morant became 2011 Derrick rose and Dillon brooks turned into 06 Kobe this isn’t fair
— Johnny Karate (@ibro_24) May 20, 2021
Is it possible Brooks plays too hard?
dillon brooks looks like someone who plays WAY too hard during pick-up games at 24 hour fitness
— Andy Cortez (didn't pay) (@TheAndyCortez) May 20, 2021
Whatever he was up to on Wednesday night, it definitely worked in the Grizzlies’ favor. He had 10 points in the first quarter.
It also helped that the rest of the lineup was on fire to start the game. Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points, Jaren Jackson had 8, while Ja Morant dished 3 early assists.
The trouble for the Grizzlies? The Spurs responded with a furious second quarter to make it a game once more.
Memphis made their way to the play-in with a 38-34 record. As the No. 9 team, they got the home-court advantage over the Spurs. However, a win on Wednesday would only get them as far as a matchup with the loser of the Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors game. The No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the Utah Jazz would be on the line.
Whoever loses between the Spurs and Grizzlies will be eliminated from the playoff altogether. It’s no wonder Memphis came out with so much energy. The question is whether they can maintain it.