In a heated battle between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies, tempers flared as All–Star guard Donovan Mitchell and Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks exchanged blows. Mitchell was ejected in the third quarter for throwing the ball at Brooks after the pair clashed under the basket. Brooks also was ejected after his shot missed and he threw his arm back, striking Mitchell in the groin area.
Mitchell was incensed and launched into a tirade after the game, accusing Brooks of being a dirty player and calling out the NBA for not doing more to punish his behavior.
He said, “That’s just who he is. We’ve seen it a bunch in this league with him. He and I have had our personal battles for years. There’s no place for that in the game. This has been brewing for years with me and other guys in the league. You all see it. This isn’t new.”
The Cavs ended up winning the game 128–113, thanks largely to Darius Garland, who scored 32 points after being left off the All–Star team. Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Garland, saying, “He knew how important this game was to us and what we needed from him. That’s what leaders do.”
Mitchell believes Brooks should be given further punishment for his actions, saying, “There should be something. This isn’t just a Donovan thing. This has happened to other players throughout this league, and it’s complete (expletive). Those guys talk (junk) and that’s fine, that’s all a part of basketball. We all grew up playing that way. But when you start doing cheap (stuff), that ain’t it. That’s where my frustration lies. It’s not about talking back and forth. That’s cool, but when you start doing little stuff like that.”
Brooks refused to comment on the altercation, but did admit that he agreed with the flagrant–2 call and said, “It saved me some T’s (technicals).” Memphis All–Star Ja Morant stepped into a state that “they (the NBA) hate us.” He then denied the Grizzlies having any issues with Mitchell, saying, “We don’t get no history with nobody. We don’t beef with nobody.”
The altercation between Donovan Mitchell and Dillon Brooks was the talk of Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies. After a missed shot, Brooks flung his arm back and struck Mitchell in the groin, leading to a heated exchange and both players being ejected.
Mitchell was furious after the game and accused Brooks of being a dirty player, while Brooks refused to comment and instead let Morant do the talking. Bickerstaff backed Mitchell and praised Garland for his performance, and the Cavs ended up winning the game 128-113.
