The feud between Dillon Brooks and LeBron James only grew before Game 3, and it appears things came to a head in the series’s first game in L.A.
Brooks was ejected from Saturday’s Game 3 against the Lakers early into the second half after being assessed with a flagrant 2 for hitting LeBron James in the groin.
While James was attempting to dribble the ball up the court, Brooks picked him up before half court in order to apply some pressure. While James attempted to dribble behind his back, Brooks reached in with his left hand, ultimately hitting the Lakers’ star in a rather unfortunate location.
James went down in pain and remained on the ground for a moment while officials gathered to discuss the incident, ultimately resulting in Brooks’s ejection from the contest.
DILLON BROOKS EJECTED FOR THIS FLAGRANT 2 FOR THIS HIT ON LEBRON
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 23, 2023
pic.twitter.com/NvYuKj8HBh
Having taken up the mantle of the NBA’s greatest villain, Brooks attempted to get under James’s skin earlier in the series, calling the 19-time All-Star “old” and indicating he wouldn’t have respect for the Lakers star until he put up 40 points against him.
The Grizzlies have tasked Brooks with guarding James for much of the series, but his antics on Saturday resulted in an early trip to the locker room for the 27-year-old.
Brooks led the NBA with 18 technical fouls during the regular season, which resulted in the former Oregon Duck missing two games.
