Dillon Brooks blames media and fans for Game 3 ejection
By Scott Rogust
After his ejection from Game 3 for hitting Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in the groin, Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks blamed the media for it.
Following a contentious Game 2, Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks decided to let everyone know that he “pokes bears,” and that he did not respect the “old” LeBron James unless he dropped 40 on him. N
BA fans knew that trying to instigate James is not the greatest idea, given his track record. Well, Brooks had a horrendous first half in Game 3, while James was playing with a bit of extra motivation, despite him saying that he wasn’t focused on the aforementioned comments. Then, Brooks’ night ended early.
Early in the second half, Brooks hit James in the groin while defending him, resulting in the Lakers star falling to the ground. After a review, Brooks was given a flagrant 2 foul and subsequently ejected. After the game, Brooks refused to speak with the media.
On Sunday following practice, Brooks did speak with the media this time. That is when Brooks said that he believes he was given the flagrant 2 based on the perception of him, which he credits to “the media making me a villain, the fans making me a villain.”
Brooks comments come courtesy of ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Dillon Brooks, speaking after practice today, said he thinks the perception of him influenced the flagrant 2 call in Game 3. “The media making me a villain, the fans making me a villain, that just creates another persona on me.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 23, 2023
Dillon Brooks blames media, fans for making him a villain
Less than a day after refusing to talk after Game 3, Brooks determined that the perception from the media and fans played a role in the ejection, not his taking a swipe at James.
While Brooks was ejected, he did avoid a suspension. ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the NBA reviewed the foul and determined that Brooks would not receive any additional punishment.
Brooks played in just 19 minutes in Game 3, scoring just seven points while shooting 3-for-13 from the field. In the first quarter, Brooks was 0-for-4 in shot attempts as the Grizzlies put up just nine points.
Meanwhile, James recorded 25 points (10-for-20 from field, 5-for-7 from free throw line), nine rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes played.
Game 4 between the Lakers and Grizzlies will take place on Monday, Apr. 24 with a tipoff time of 10:00 p.m. ET.
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