LOS ANGELES — Dillon Brooks, enemy no. 1 in Los Angeles right now, was jeered off the court by gleeful Lakers fans when he was ejected in the third quarter after hitting LeBron James in the groin.
Brooks made a reckless attempt at a steal as LeBron crossed the ball behind his back, and Brooks caught LeBron cleanly in the one place no man wants to get hit. LeBron went to the ground in pain and was there for a minute while the referees reviewed the play. Ultimately they gave Brooks a Flagrant 2 and he was ejected.
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Lakers fans loudly cheered Brooks’ exit as he left the court.
Based on the NBA’s reaction to other recent hits in that region — by Draymond Green, Joel Embiid and James Harden — don’t expect a suspension for Brooks (despite his history). Maybe a fine is coming his way.
Brooks had a rough night up to that point. The Lakers’ game plan was to dare Brooks to shoot and he did, going 3-of-13. His rough shooting (and plenty of his teammates) was why the Grizzlies were down by as many as 29 in the first half.
Memphis has come back to make the score more respectable, but hope for a comeback was not helped by one of the Grizzlies’ best defenders — the guy with the LeBron James assignment — getting sent to the locker room with almost half a game to go.
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Dillon Brooks ejected for shot to LeBron James’ groin originally appeared on NBCSports.com