Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks expressed remorse for injuring Warriors guard Gary Payton II during Game 2 of their teams’ Western Conference series, Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes. Brooks spoke publicly for the first time since he was assessed Flagrant Foul 2 for his takedown of Payton, who suffered a fractured elbow.
“I didn’t mean for to hurt somebody,” Brooks said. “If I were to take it back in that moment, I would.”
Brooks served a one-game suspension but will return to action for Game 4 on Monday. Payton is out for the remainder of the series and is expected to need at least three weeks to recover.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and several of his players felt Brooks’ hack was a dirty play. Payton tumbled to the court after Brooks fouled him on a layup attempt. Kerr added that Brooks “broke the code” of how the game is played.
Brooks wasn’t sure how to take that.
“I don’t even know what that means,” Brooks said. “It’s the playoffs. Every bucket, every pass, every possession, every play counts.”
The Grizzlies are eager to get Brooks back, especially given Ja Morant‘s injury status.
“DB’s going to be huge for us,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “We always talk about him being a tone-setter for us
Dirty Dillon Brooks is back tonight. Memphis is going to play rough, evident by starting Adams at the 5. Should be fun, but I miss Morant.
And that’s why GS is a championship caliber team. They didn’t lead until less than one minute left, they shot terribly and they still found a way to pull it out. Memphis is a young team that doesn’t know how to close anybody out.
I’m still extremely remorseful about the Hawks passing on Dillon Brooks & drafting his (clearly inferior) teammate Tyler Dorsey instead. Not sure what made them want Dorsey over Dillon when they were on the same team for multiple seasons & Dillon was very clearly the best player on the team smh still sore about that
I’m guessing with Trae already in the fold they didn’t want to add another terrible haircut to the mix.
Trae wasn’t here yet
Based on the way Dillon has played for us thus far, I kinda wish he were still suspended
They may have heart but cot dang it the Grizzlies lack a brain and/or poise. They had a real good shot at beating the GSW tonight (Monday). JJ was basically getting whatever he wanted vs Draymond and others. Late in the 4th, needing to keep the board running and maintain their lead, instead of putting JJ on the block and attacking he’s out on the 3pt line while someone is jacking up 3s with no one in position to rebound. And when they decided to feed JJ he catches on the perimeter and has to try and bully his man down to the paint. Finally, in a time where they just needed a bucket, JJ gets the ball and with 10 seconds left hoists up an ill advised 3 that gets deflected by Green. They’re were 2 or 3 other teammates clumped up near him with zero spacing. All they had to do was spread out to each elbow and be ready to catch and shoot. It may have crashed more space for JJ to shoot or go to the hole OR (much better option) pass it to a better shooter if the 3 is the only option they want to execute. No poise, no time/game awareness, great athleticism but very low IQ. Basically, GSW knew all they had to do was stay close and with the Griz being in the penalty, widdle away the deficit with free throws and Curry picking his shots. Sad game for the Griz. It was theirs to win.
What you’re saying is JJJ shouldn’t have been playing at the 4 with other bigs on the court clogging the paint…I cant really say anything since I didnt watch the game, but if Adams started at the 5, that would be my guess
@formerlyz
No. Adams wasn’t on the floor most of the last 6 minutes of the 4th quarter.
Was there multiple bigs though? Was Brandon Clarke on the floor with them?
Brooks don’t need to apologize for nothing!
He should apologize to his teammates for his awful shot selection in game 4.
That’s why GS pulled it out.