Another game, another high-profile ejection.
Not even three minutes into Game of the Warriors-Grizzlies series, Memphis forward Dillon Brooks was called for a Flagrant 2 foul against Warriors guard Gary Payton II after making contact with his head while attempting to block a shot. Payton was in a lot of pain after landing hard on his left arm, which he uses to shoot, but he stayed in the game and knocked down one of two free throws. Following the 106-101 loss, the Warriors announced Payton fractured his elbow.
The Warriors were expecting a physical series from the Grizzlies, but they probably didn’t expect this. Brooks ejection comes after Draymond Green was ejected for a controversial Flagrant 2 foul in Game 1 against Brandon Clarke.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was heated on the sideline after Brooks' foul and still fuming after the game.
“I don’t know if it was intentional, but it was dirty,” Kerr said. "This should be the time of his life and guy comes in and whacks him across the mid-air. He broke the code. Dillon Brooks broke the code. That’s how I see it.”
Green and Brooks now have two technical foul “points” under the NBA playoff rules. With two more (you get one for a Flagrant 1 and two for a Flagrant 2), Green and Brooks would get an automatic suspension.
The physical game continued, as Green had to leave the floor a few plays later after getting elbowed by Grizzlies big man Xavier Tillman going for a loose ball. Green flipped off Grizzlies fans as he left the floor but eventually returned early in the second quarter.
The Warriors later announced Payton underwent an X-Ray to check on the severity of his left elbow injury. In the second quarter, he was ruled out for the game. Payton will undergo an MRI on Wednesday in the Bay Area.
Losing Payton II will be a major loss for the Warriors. The defensive specialist played the final 15 minutes of the series-clinching win against the Denver Nuggets and showed his mettle. Payton's on-ball defense is especially valuable against the Grizzlies and superstar Ja Morant.
