The Golden State Warriors are taking on young and tricky challengers in the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the Playoffs. While they did win Game 1 on the Grizzlies’ home court, Game 2 has started out as a frustrating affair.
The tensions have already flared after Dillon Brooks was ejected for a dirty play on Gary Payton II, a play that has ruled Payton out for the rest of the game. Considering the history Brooks has of being a little over-aggressive and the fact that it caused GPII to be taken out of this game, Steve Kerr isn’t happy at all.
In a mid-game interview, Kerr called the play by Brooks on GPII a dirty play, dismissing any chance of it being entertained as a legitimate attempt at defense through physicality.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 4, 2022
Kerr’s reaction is justified, even if it may be a little harsh to openly say another player is employing dirty tactics in a playoff game. Brooks has rough-housed opponents before and this was yet another attempt at the same. What transpired was that Brooks was covering on a fastbreak by Payton and decided to hit him across the head when he got an opportunity. The shot sent Payton to the floor with 9:08 left in the first quarter.
The tape is quite incriminating for Brooks, as one replay made it obvious that he should be taken off the floor for that play.
Dillon Brooks ejected after this hard foul on GPII 😳 https://t.co/SOPdOJFXow
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 4, 2022
The Grizzlies will lose a very reliable perimeter player in Brooks from this game as they try to make sure they can keep pace with the Warriors going further in this game. The game is approaching half-time and the margin between the two teams is marginal, with Memphis holding a slender lead.
Whether this ejection is the reason Memphis goes down 2-0 or whether this ejection causes the troops to galvanize and even the series up 1-1 is something we will find out only after the whistle to end the game blows.
