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Donovan Mitchell directed his most brutal shots at Dillon Brooks after the game in Cleveland.
Mitchell called Brooks a filthy player and said the NBA must do something about the Memphis guard’s rowdy behavior after he kicked Cleveland’s All-Star guard in the crotch during the Cavaliers’ 128-113 victory against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Mitchell, who was ejected in the third quarter for throwing the ball at Brooks, stated, “That’s just who he is.” “We’ve seen it many times from him in this league. We have engaged in personal conflict for years.
“That does not belong in the game. This has been festering for years between myself and other league players. Everyone sees it. It’s nothing new.”
Darius Garland scored 32 points and carried Cleveland after Mitchell’s ejection as the Cavaliers handed the Grizzlies their seventh defeat in eight games.
Garland was one of several players with All-Star-caliber seasons who were not selected by the coaches as an Eastern Conference reserve. He contributed 11 assists as the Cavaliers rebounded from Tuesday night’s crushing loss to Miami.
J.B. Bickerstaff, coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, remarked, “He was exceptional.” “He understood the significance of the game to us and what was required of him. That is the role of leaders.”
Mitchell, who was selected to start in the All-Star game last week, was ejected in the third quarter for throwing the ball at Brooks after the two collided under the basket. Brooks was also expelled.
With the Cavaliers leading 81-76, Brooks missed a shot and fell in the lane with the Cavaliers ahead. While on the ground, he threw his arm back and struck Mitchell in the groin as he stood above him. Mitchell, in pain, fell to the ground and retaliated by shooting the ball at Brooks before charging and pushing him along the baseline in front of the Memphis bench.
Before any punches were thrown, officials and players were able to control the situation as the altercation threatened to spill into the stands.
There is a possibility that the league will punish Brooks further, and Mitchell believes that additional punishments are warranted.
He stated, “There should be something.” “This is not just Donovan’s problem. It’s a fact that this has happened to other players in this league (expletive). This is acceptable, as trash talk is an integral part of basketball. We were all raised playing this way.
“However, that ain’t it when you start doing cheap (things). This is the source of my frustration. It is not a matter of arguing back and forth. That’s cool, but when you begin doing small things like that.”
Bickerstaff believed Mitchell, who claimed to have had previous encounters with Brooks, was within his rights to defend himself.
He said, “That was a cheap shot in multiple ways.” “A man should be permitted to advocate for himself. I believed that Donovan did that. I am pleased with our team. We don’t have players who start (expletive)t, but we do have players who don’t run away from (expletive)t, which is necessary in this league.
“You must advocate for yourself. This is what he did, and his teammates supported him.”
Brooks refused to elaborate on the altercation with Mitchell. Ja Morant, an All-Star for the Memphis Grizzlies, stated that the team would not comment on the exchange when he was asked about it.
Brooks did express agreement with the flagrant-2 designation.
He said, “It saved me some technicals.”
The Grizzlies have a reputation as the most talkative team in the NBA, but Morant believes they are being judged unfairly.
“We normally get punished for anything negative said about the Grizzlies,” said Morant. “This is not the same. The NBA dislikes us.”
Morant denied the Grizzlies have issues with the four-time All-Star, despite Mitchell’s claim that he and Brooks have a long relationship.
“We have no history with anyone,” Morant stated. We have no beef with anyone.
Cleveland was led by Cedi Osman’s 21 points and Jarrett Allen’s 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Mobley scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane scored 25 points and Morant had 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists despite being plagued by foul trouble for the majority of the game.
Memphis was without All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who suffered a thigh contusion in Tuesday’s loss to Portland.
»Donovan Mitchell calls Dillon Brooks a dirty player after being struck in the groin by him«