Steve Kerr has already made it known he has a serious issue with Dillon Brooks’ Flagrant 2 foul on Gary Payton II during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night.
On Thursday, the Warriors coach hit the Memphis Grizzlies guard-forward with another jab, albeit more subtle this time.
The team won’t retaliate against the Grizzlies for the violent play, Kerr said Wednesday, which left Payton with a fractured left elbow.
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But when asked how Golden State plans to keep things from getting too chippy in the games to come, Kerr snuck in some shade toward Brooks just hours after the NBA announced he has been suspended for Game 3.
“Just play hard, battle for every loose ball,” Kerr said of the Warriors' plan in the series. “Battle for every rebound. Compete every possession.”
Simple enough, but then Kerr went in.
Golden State Warriors
“And, you know, don’t risk a guy’s career if he’s ahead of the play in transition. That’s our mantra.”
RELATED: Draymond reacts to Brooks' Game 3 suspension for foul on GP2
An MRI on Payton’s elbow confirmed the fracture and revealed ligament and muscle damage. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the Warriors announced Thursday, but is now sidelined after finding success with Golden State and playing a key role in the team’s current NBA playoff run.
Kerr previously called Brooks out for the “dirty” play, saying that the foul “broke the code.” Both Draymond Green and Steph Curry also voiced their anger over the play, and Green applauded the NBA for serving Brooks with a one-game suspension in addition to his ejection during Game 2.
Kerr will always have his players’ backs, and his subtle dig on Thursday was a reminder of that.