Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who recently missed three games due to a right foot issue, reaggravated that injury during Monday’s loss in Memphis, writes Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News.
As Caplan details, Irving ended up leaving the FedExForum in a walking boot after Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks stepped on the back of his foot during the third quarter. While Kyrie referred to the boot as “just precautionary,” Caplan suggests the Mavs’ star was walking with a bit of a limp after the game.
“I just got to make it back home to Dallas and then start my recovery work and do everything I can to prepare for the next game,” Irving said. “Take time to rest and exhaust all my options possible to be ready to play the next game.”
Despite Brooks’ reputation, Irving made it clear that he didn’t believe there was anything intentional or malicious about the play.
“I would’ve felt different up here if I feel he did it on purpose, but I didn’t,” Irving said. “It’s just one of those plays where he’s trailing me, and I think his feet got caught up in mine and twisted my ankle. Just bad timing, but the game has to keep going.”
Here’s more on the Mavs:
- Although Irving professed no hard feelings toward the combative Grizzlies wing, he declined Brooks’ postgame request to swap jerseys, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, who notes that Kyrie gave Brooks his Mavs jersey but didn’t accept Brooks’ Grizzlies jersey (Twitter video link). “Probably get it next time,” Irving said with a smile. “Not this time. I was really onto the next thing.”
- It was another night, another feud for Brooks, who faces a second automatic one-game suspension after picking up his 18th technical foul of the season for taunting Dallas’ bench after a dunk (Twitter video link). He explained after the game that he was aiming a “pom-poms” gesture at Mavs reserve Theo Pinson. “I just wanted to let him know he’s a cheerleader. That was it,” Brooks said (YouTube video link). “Same class. I grew up watching him play, he was a great basketball player. And now he gets paid to cheerlead. Love it.” Responding on Twitter, Pinson wrote, “I got some real estate I see,“ followed by a crying-laughing emoji.
- Both the Grizzlies and Mavericks are close to getting their All-NBA guards back. Ja Morant rejoined the Grizzlies on Monday following his eight-game suspension and though he didn’t play vs. Dallas, head coach Taylor Jenkins said the team is “hopeful” Morant will be back on Wednesday vs. Houston, according to MacMahon. “So long as everything medically clears out,” Jenkins said. Meanwhile, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said on Monday night that Luka Doncic (left thigh strain) is trending in the right direction and will “hopefully” return soon.
The media once again maligns the plucky Brooks, who finds new ways to bring energy to a fiercely competitive Grizzlies squad.
This is one instance where you cannot blame the media for maligning Brooks. He spends so much time playing the wrong way, trying to hurt people and trying to get in people’s heads, that he is actually a hindrance to his team. He has also done absolutely nothing in this league, so on top of being a complete a**hole, he has no credibility or respect from anyone. He could be a Dennis Rodman, maybe a Dray if he learned the science of great defense and mentally breaking your opponent.. but he isn’t smart enough to do it.
Brooks is a legend in his own mind.
And yet the Grizzlies continue to find success in the face of controversy; you can’t teach passion.
“That’s why they named it Hater-ade.” Stay thirsty, my friend.
Next are you gonna defend Brooks for injuring a camera man? Or do you just hate the media that much?
There are times when the media overblows things. But directing attention to someone for being an a-hole is not an example of that, and your contempt for the media doesn’t mean people like Brooks just get a pass.
Brooks is that guy who isn’t as good as he thinks and has no value outside of his current squad. If the Griz had traded him for Annunoby, he probably would have cost them an extra pick to jettison.
This is most likely Brooks’ last season in the league.
Evil Danny Green
Two twins separated at birth
One given hugs and attention
The other raised in the outhouse
Ha
Lol. As lebron would say, I think Dillion brooks has some of you big mad
And Theo Pinson has Dillon Brooks big mad.
Mad at what?
I’m not out there pushing cameramen trying to be WWE heel…
I get that some people like Ric Flair or Vickie Guerrero… They are actors…
Their vile acts get ratings and are part of the show…
Look we don’t know what other videos this camera guy was filming. Maybe he was part of an underground porn ring and Dillon knew? So actually he is a hero for silencing this creep. Get all the facts…
Hey brooks go watch some 90s,80s,70s or 60s. Tired of these kinds today. No wonder they think lebron is the best. Only watching today’s product