Grizzlies' Brooks ejected for nailing LeBron downstairs

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) in the second quarter during Game 3 of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks ejected for nailing LeBron James downstairs

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 4/22/23

The highly-anticipated matchup between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks on Saturday night fizzled out very quickly.

Brooks trash-talked James after the Memphis Grizzlies won Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. He said that James was too old to put up a big game against Memphis.

Fast forward to Saturday in Los Angeles, and the Grizzlies had a brutal first quarter where they fell behind 35-9. They were down 53-37 at the half, and things got worse when the third quarter started.

Brooks nailed James in the groin while trying to poke a ball out behind the Lakers star 17 seconds into the start of the third quarter.

LeBron James went down after taking a shot from Dillon Brooks pic.twitter.com/N2d2jhXsZ8

— Backcourt Alerts (@BackcourtAlerts) April 23, 2023

Here is a close-up view:

Lakers’ LeBron James takes below the belt shot from Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks (flagrant foul 2, ejection) pic.twitter.com/IgBFRNA3a0

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 23, 2023

The officials deemed Brooks’ actions excessive and unnecessary and gave him a Flagrant 2 foul, triggering an automatic ejection. Brooks was 3-for-13 for seven points before being tossed.

Brooks talked a big game going into Game 3 and he went out with a whimper. What a disappointment all around (unless you’re a Lakers fan).

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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