Dillon Brooks did earn a suspension for hitting Donovan Mitchell in the “groin,” but he got off light.
Brooks was suspended one game and Mitchell got a $20,000 fine for their altercation during the Cavaliers’ win against the Grizzlies on Thursday night, the league announced.
“Brooks initiated the altercation by striking Mitchell in the groin area in an unsportsmanlike manner,” the NBA said in a release announcing the fine. “Mitchell then escalated the situation by throwing the game ball at and pushing Brooks, after which both players continued to physically engage with one another.”
Spida and Dillon Brooks get CHIPPY 😳 pic.twitter.com/jGhYHa8VAS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 3, 2023
Both Brooks and Mitchell were given Flagrant 2 fouls and ejected.
Brooks will serve his suspension Sunday against the Raptors. The one-game suspension is going to cost Brooks $78,621 in salary.
It’s difficult to watch the video of the altercation and not think that it was an intentional act by Brooks. As such, a one-game suspension seems soft and certainly isn’t sending a message of deterrence to other players. After the game Thursday, Mitchell fired shots at Brooks for the act.
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell on Dillon Brooks:
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) February 3, 2023
"That’s just who he is. I’ve been busting his ass for years. Playoffs. Regular season. And the one game he does an alright job on me today, he decides to do something like that. No place for that in the game. Gotta protect yourself."
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell on Dillon Brooks:
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) February 3, 2023
"A line has to be drawn. The NBA has to do something about it. I’m not the only person this has happened to and there’s no place for that in this game. ... If you just can’t guard somebody, then just say that. Just get a switch."
The two teams do not meet again this season.
