Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. Justin Ford/Getty Images/AFP
Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks was ejected after drawing a flagrant 2 foul for delivering a blow to the groin area of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James 17 seconds into the second half on Saturday night.
James writhed in pain on the floor after the contact. The officiating crew reviewed the play, which occurred in the backcourt, before determining it met the criteria for a flagrant 2, which comes with an automatic ejection.
The incident in Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series comes three nights after Brooks ripped the 38-year-old James, calling the NBA’s all-time leading scorer “old” and saying his level of play has dropped.
Dillon Brooks was ejected after receiving a flagrant 2 for this hit to LeBron. pic.twitter.com/LL9CLRAryy
— ESPN (@espn) April 23, 2023
“He’s not at the same level that he was when he was on Cleveland winning championships, or Miami,” Brooks said of James after Memphis won Game 2 on Wednesday. “I wish I got to see that. It would have been a harder task, but I’m playing with what I’ve got. Just wear and tear on him throughout a seven-game series and see if he can take it.”
Brooks had a tough outing Saturday from the outset. He scored seven points on 3-of-13 in the first half.
The host Lakers led 35-9 after the first quarter and 53-37 at halftime.