Dillon Brooks should definitely know better by now.
On Thursday night, as Brooks’ Memphis Grizzlies battled the Cleveland Cavaliers, the forward was caught in a tangle with Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell after a drive. After falling to the court, rather than let bygones be bygones and move on to the next play, Brooks rolled over on the floor and took his time before taking what seemed to be an obvious shot at Mitchell’s groin. (Which had an amusing sound effect from announcer Kevin Harlan.)
Understandably, a small fight erupted as Mitchell took exception to Brooks taking unnecessary low blows while already down and out.
This was not a great look for the Memphis player at all:
Donovan Mitchell and Dillon Brooks oh my goodness 😳 pic.twitter.com/9rT5t3sBjB
— Overtime (@overtime) February 3, 2023
Oh. Oh, wow. Both players would be ejected for their roles in this skirmish as the Cavaliers won 128-113.
Let’s see another closer angle of the Brooks groin punch on Mitchell:
Dillon Brooks pulled a Draymond Green on Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/2slP7ssbl6
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) February 3, 2023
Phew. That sure looks like Brooks deliberately swinging his arm toward Mitchell’s groin with intent.
It’s worth noting that Brooks does have a relatively recent history of this kind of behavior. During Game 2 of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors, Brooks took a dangerous shot to Gary Payton II’s head. Payton II would break his elbow on the play and not return until later in the postseason, while Brooks would be ejected and assessed a Flagrant 2 before eventually being suspended for Game 3.
It’s tough to say now, but it’s hard not to see some sort of disciplinary action coming Brooks’ way after this dirty play directed toward Mitchell.
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
NBA fans ripped Brooks' dirty punch to Mitchell's groin
Dillon Brooks looked back, swung back while on the floor and hit Donovan Mitchell below the belt. Mitchell was rightfully pissed. Fight ensues. Dirty stuff from Brooks.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) February 3, 2023
I honestly think about a 2-week suspension for Dillon Brooks is the right move. That was as dirty as it gets.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) February 3, 2023
Dillon Brooks is just a dirty player, man.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) February 3, 2023
The Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, Pat Bev, Draymond types are the worst. "That's just the way they play" is a tired excuse. They are all dirty.
— Reed (@ReedPNW) February 3, 2023
Another dirty play from Dillon Brooks
— Daniel Shirley (@DM_Shirley) February 3, 2023
They had to eject Mitchell for retaliating- throwing the ball and then shoving…but Dillon Brooks deserves the harsher punishment when the league sorts out after the fact…That's just plain dirty…
— Matt Winer (@MattWinerTV) February 3, 2023
Dillon Brooks is just as dirty as Grayson Allen.
— Shaq (@ShaqMitchell) February 3, 2023
That sure looked like an intentional shot to the groin by Dillon Brooks. If I was Donovan Mitchell I would've done the same thing. That was dirty.
— Sean Trench (@SeanTrench) February 3, 2023
I mean Donovon Mitchell is really a chilled dude if he gets into a fight just know the next oan did him dirty
Dillon Brooks knew what he was doing rolling over like that trying to injure Mitchell
— aunty_mufasa (@TracyMalikongwa) February 3, 2023
Dillon Brooks just dirty there. Clearly rolled to hit Mitchell in the sweet spot.
— Mark Malerich (@MarkMalerich) February 3, 2023
