Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks ejected from Game 2 after drilling Gary Payton in the head
Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks was ejected just minutes into their Game 2 matchup with the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
Early in the first quarter at FedEx Forum, Warriors guard Gary Payton II went up for a layup and had a clear path to the rim. Brooks came flying in from behind to try and contest him, but he missed the ball completely while swinging for it.
Instead, Brooks made direct contact with Payton's head while he was in the air — which sent him straight to the ground, where he landed awkwardly on his fully-extended left arm.
Memphis' Dillon Brooks gets tossed for this foul on Golden State's Gary Payton II.
Two games, two ejections between the Warriors and Grizzlies.
🎥 @TSN_Sportspic.twitter.com/nTxWW5PfSX— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 4, 2022
Brooks was quickly hit with a Flagrant 2 foul, which triggered the automatic ejection.
Payton remained in the game to shoot his free throws, which he split, and then left for the locker room to get X-rays on his left elbow. It's unclear if he will return.
That marks the second ejection in just two games so far this series. Draymond Green — who left the game just minutes later after taking a shot to the head — was thrown out of Game 1 after he smacked Brandon Clarke in the face before dragging him down by his jersey.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
