Dillon Brooks took his rivalry with LeBron James too far.
The Memphis Grizzlies forward was ejected from Game 3 on Saturday night after hitting the NBA’s all-time leading scorer below the belt.
James was looking to get the ball up court, and when he dribbled behind him, Brooks tried to push the ball away. However, he missed the basketball and instead hit James in the groin.
The referees ruled a Flagrant 2 foul, which is an automatic expulsion.
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Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during Game 3 of Round 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on APRIL 22, 2023, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
During warm-ups, Brooks was booed by the Los Angeles crowd immensely derived from the words he’s had for James since before the series began.
Brooks said that «I wouldn’t mind» facing James in the playoffs and has enjoyed his wish.
The two players exchanged words with 8:06 remaining in the third quarter of Game 2 after James hit two baskets in a row. Brooks said that James had called him «dumb» for committing his fourth foul. After the game, Brooks said that James is «old» and «I expected him to do that in game four, game five. I wanted to say something when I got my fourth foul. I should have said it sooner.»
Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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NBA champion Stephen Jackson recently praised Brooks for his mind games with James, saying «too many» players want to be friends with the greatest of all time.
«I play with my heart. Then I have to find a way to not foul reads or transitions, or when he’s driving,» Brooks said. earlier this week. «You don’t use those [type of] LeBron and AD fouls [Anthony Davis] and the guys I’m guarding, especially when you know the refs are going to decide things.»
Brooks led the league with 18 technical fouls this season, which warranted a suspension.
Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies defends against LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 3 of Round 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on APRIL 22, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California . (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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The series moved to Los Angeles on Saturday night after both teams split the first two games in Memphis.