Coming off a brilliant performance in the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks did much of the same for Canada in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
Brooks had 14 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes, shooting 5-of-7 (71.4% FG) overall and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%). Defensively, Brooks made life very difficult for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who shot 8-of-20 from the field (40%) as Canada downed Slovenia to advance to the semifinals, 100-89 (box score).
Buy Rockets TicketsNaturally, there was also some extracurricular activity. Brooks often blew kisses to a booing crowd in Manila, and with Canada holding a large fourth-quarter lead, he picked up a second technical foul for taunting and was ejected. Shortly thereafter, Doncic was ejected for picking up his own second technical, seemingly agitated by Brooks.
“A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does, and he does that stuff really good,” Doncic said postgame of Brooks.
With the win, Canada advanced to the World Cup semifinals, where a matchup versus Serbia looms on Friday.
Read on for highlights, analysis, interviews, and social media reaction to Brooks’ strong showing versus Doncic and Slovenia.
Dillon Brooks, Canada vs. Slovenia
Fans booing Dillon Brooks 😅 pic.twitter.com/hhVYXIt5jk
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks wants your hate. He is blowing kisses to the booing Mall of Asia Arena crowd after every made bucket.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks gets the stop on Luka Doncic 🔒
Luka gets upset and gets a tech:pic.twitter.com/Gw6ch7o5nA
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks in the huddle talking about defending Luka Doncic and team defense pic.twitter.com/CCqEKaZO8t
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) September 6, 2023
Can’t convince me that Dillon Brooks is a real person 😭 pic.twitter.com/tb4RjABo1p
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) September 6, 2023
Alright I’m ready to eat crow on disliking the Dillon Brooks signing. I don’t know if it’s realistic to expect the Team Canada version of Dillon Brooks to be the same player who shows up for the Houston Rockets, but it’ll be a pleasant surprise if that’s what happens. https://t.co/Fw5alYV9fV
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) September 6, 2023
Watch Dillon Brooks before and after Luka Doncic catches the basketball. Moves Luka away from his spot in the low post towards the perimeter. Later, he stays in front and recovers. Makes it difficult. pic.twitter.com/Pelbof4Ufz
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks has completely removed Luka Doncic from this game from both a physical and mental standpoint.
Luka looks completely dejected anytime Dillon is anywhere near him.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks ejected for taunting after knocking down a 3 pointer. pic.twitter.com/UrcrkDD4N7
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) September 6, 2023
Dillon. Brooks. pic.twitter.com/sQHQLIfFSF
— 𝕁 𝔻𝕦𝕓𝕓 (@TheMindOfJDubb) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks has been Canada's second best player this tourney and basketball twitter is spending all its time waiting for him to shoot an air ball to tweet about it
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) September 6, 2023
The Dillon Brooks experience. Hard nosed player that teammates and fans of the team he is on love but everyone else hates. Whatever you call him he is a big reason Canada advanced to the Semifinals pic.twitter.com/7sptj6eZsv
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks buries the corner three, then blows a kiss to the Filipino crowd 😘#FIBAWCpic.twitter.com/snGUc9q7wA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 6, 2023
LOOK AT DILLON BROOKS
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks was the one who got in Luka's head. He should get credit for the Luka ejection. He did that.
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks in his I-just-want-to-watch-the-world-burn mode.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/aEsLX51jy4
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks is doing a great job of denying Luka off ball. The issue is they put Powell in action, get the switch and now you have Olynyk having to to navigate help and recover. Keep an eye on it.
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks, who has been outstanding on both ends (and really, throughout the tournament,) ejected for taunting after sinking a 3. Canada up 15.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) September 6, 2023
Canada moves on to the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup against Serbia as they knock off Slovenia, 100-89 🇨🇦
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
31 PTS, 10 REBS, 4 ASTS, 2 STLS, 8-of-12 FGRJ Barrett:
24 PTS, 9 REBSDillon Brooks:
14 PTS, 5-of-7 FG, 3-of-5 3PT pic.twitter.com/u3KbuHkad3— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 6, 2023
Luka Doncic EJECTED.
The star of Slovenia made the “money gesture” to the tribune.#basketball #Baloncesto #FIBAWC2023 #FIBAWorldCup2023 #FIBAWC #Slovenia #Slovenija #DallasMavericks #Mavs #Dallas #NBA— Matteo Andreani (@matty_vanpersie) September 6, 2023
Still can't believe Memphis did Dillon Brooks so dirty. This is starring in your role right here. Boy got under Luka's skin and got him tossed. https://t.co/quqxNi34h7
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) September 6, 2023
If Dillon Brooks brings this defense to Houston and FVV returns to being 2019 finals Fred, the Rockets could be a very good team
— connor goebel (@goebsy_goebel) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks and Luka Doncic both ejected over the span of 30 seconds in the 4th quarter of a quarterfinals game. FIBA officials, man. Come on.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) September 6, 2023
In a postgame interview with Arash Madani, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just called Lu Dort and Dillon Brooks:
“Two of the best players in the world at their position (defensively)” pic.twitter.com/I3UsvZ2j1H
— Sahal Abdi (@sahalabdi_) September 6, 2023
Luka Doncic and Dillon Brooks in the tunnel after both being ejected from a FIBA World Cup game pic.twitter.com/1xhEjsF8yP
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks was booed, blew kisses and eventually ejected from FIBA World Cup quarterfinal https://t.co/h5iCN7Dmkg pic.twitter.com/MauIkWmRxy
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) September 6, 2023
The vibes in Canadas locker room are at an all-time high, with Dillon Brooks shadow boxing Lu Dort who’s just trying to change 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/dTxbImlPTo
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) September 6, 2023
Can't believe the FIBA refs tossed the best player in this game, and also Luka Doncic
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) September 6, 2023
Dillon Brooks is pissing Luka Doncic off so much pic.twitter.com/YG2ndcS2s1
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) September 6, 2023
Luka sarcastically applauding the refs after being ejected for a 2nd technical pic.twitter.com/t6FjNkc1tR
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) September 6, 2023
Luka Doncic when asked about Dillon Brooks:
"I think Dillon played great, he was very physical like he always does. A lot of people don't like him but I respect him for what he does and he does that stuff really good."
— Vivek Jacob (@vivekmjacob) September 6, 2023
