Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks also tarnished his image within the league when he was exiled because he hit Donovan Mitchell in the groin on Thursday night, in the Grizzlies losing 128-113 to Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland Cavaliers. After the game the two players Mitchell as well as Cavaliers Head Coach JB Bickerstaff criticized the incident as the result of a poor shot and doubted Brooks the character of his player.
Brooks was attempting to make a layup in the third quarter with just six minutes remaining during the 3rd quarter however, his shot was thwarted due to Cavaliers star Evan Mobley and headed out of the bounds. Mitchell tried to save the ball however Brooks who was lying on the ground, struck his area of the groin. Mitchell was quick to respond by throwing the ball over Brooks who was in the ground, and the two teams fought. both teams.
“That’s just who he is,” Mitchell said. “We’ve been through it many times in this league alongside him. (He) as well as I been in personal fights for a long time. Actually I’ve been in the habit of slapping his body for several years. Playoffs. Regular season. The one time in which he has done a good job today against me but then decides to play similar things.
“You are aware that there is no place for that in the game, and you have to be prepared in time’s end. However, this is something that’s been going on for a long time, and I and other players playing in leagues … it’s not anything new. Tonight was just the beginning of it however, when you’re not able to protect someone and cannot do anything with the person you need to do the same thing, and this is the way he’s dealt with a many gamers … This could be one of these situations that you have to resort to, which is cool and I’m thankful that my team slowed down today and, as you have to admit, were there for me throughout the entire thing.”
Brooks was deemed to have committed a flagrant 2 violation, which immediately excluded him from the match as well as Mitchell was also expelled.
“That was an easy shot, in multiple different ways” Bickerstaff said. “You put a man’s ankle on the line and then clearly whatever came the next thing out A man ought to be able to assert his rights. I think Donovan did exactly that. This is one thing that makes me happy for our players We don’t have people who get into the shit, but we have guys who don’t get scared of the shit. It’s a must to be in this league to be able to defend yourself. He did that and that’s the reason his teammates backed him.”
The situation has not been going as planned for the Grizzlies in recent times. They’ve now losing seven times in the last 10 games as well as losing Brooks to a suspension could just make it more difficult for the team. Brooks will become an unrestricted free agent following the season and events such as this will not make it easier for the Grizzlies to sign the player on a long-term deal. There’s a need to change things in Memphis in order for the Grizzlies to be trying to get back on track in the coming season.