Basketball is a sport that has always been filled with drama, from buzzer-beaters to game-winning shots. But sometimes, it’s the off-court antics that can be just as captivating. In a recent game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving of the Mavericks appeared to humiliate Dillon Brooks of the Grizzlies by rejecting his jersey swap offer on live TV. The incident quickly went viral, sparking a debate about whether it was intentional or not.
In a game that was as heated as a pot of boiling water, Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks found himself at the center of attention once again. With a reputation for being a provocateur on the court, Brooks had racked up 18 technical fouls in the season, putting him dangerously close to his second suspension for technical foul accumulation.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Brooks had reason to celebrate after the Grizzlies’ nail-biting 112-108 win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Did Kyrie Irving actually reject the jersey swap with Dillon?
As the Canadian professional made his way toward Kyrie Irving to swap jerseys, the younger one couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. After all, he was about to exchange jerseys with one of the best players in the league.
But as Brooks extended his arm to offer his jersey to Irving, he was met with an unexpected rejection. In a move that was as swift as it was humiliating, Irving appeared to snub Brooks and walked away. He left the Grizzlies swingman holding two jerseys in his hand.
Although Irving claimed it wasn’t intentional but the video of the incident went viral. Basketball fans around the world were left scratching their heads. Had Irving really just humiliated Brooks on live TV?
Here it is. pic.twitter.com/K9zd9aqy9N
— Chase Jordan (@goatcollect) March 21, 2023
The incident was made all the more awkward by the fact that Brooks had already taken off his jersey, leaving him standing on the court with nothing but his shorts and a puzzled expression on his face. It was a moment that perfectly summed up the tumultuous season that Brooks had been having.
Despite the embarrassment, Brooks tried to put on a brave face and walked away. With Memphis sitting pretty in second place in the Western Conference, there was still a chance that they could meet Dallas in the playoffs. If that happened, Brooks would have a chance to prove himself against Irving and the Mavericks once again.
As the season wound to a close, the tension between the two teams continued to simmer. With Brooks and Irving both playing at the top of their game, it was anyone’s guess who would come out on top in a potential playoff showdown. But one thing was for sure: the jersey swap rejection would be a moment that neither player would forget anytime soon.
