Memphis Grizzlies star Dillon Brooks missed almost all of Game 2 of his team’s Western Conference seminfinal series against the Golden State Warriors after he was ejected, and the act will cost him Game 3 as well.
Brooks was called for a flagrant-2 foul three minutes into the Grizzlies’ 106-101 win over the Warriors on Tuesday night. He clubbed Gary Payton II in the head as Payton was heading for a layup (video here). On Thursday, the NBA announced that Brooks has been suspended for Game 3.
One-game suspension for Memphis’ Dillon Brooks: https://t.co/AFnXCHnNx3
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 5, 2022
Payton injured his elbow on the play and was knocked out for the remainder of the game. Tests later revealed that he suffered a fracture and is expected to miss about a month.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was furious about the play and criticized Brooks during the game.
Draymond Green was ejected for a flagrant-2 foul in Game 1, but the NBA obviously did not feel that play was as bad as the one involving Brooks and Payton.
Game 3 will take place at Golden State on Saturday night with the series tied 1-1.
