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Will Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks be suspended for flagrant foul? How Gary Payton II’s injury could impact punishment in 2022 NBA Playoffs
Less than three minutes into Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks was ejected after committing a hard foul on Warriors guard Gary Payton II.
As Payton rose for a layup, Brooks struck him in the head, causing Golden State’s defensive ace to fall to the ground in pain. Following a review of the play, the foul was deemed a Flagrant 2, resulting in Brooks’ automatic ejection.
While the Grizzlies would go on to earn a thrilling win in his absence, Brooks’ first-quarter foul dominated conversations throughout the night. After the game, it was revealed that the foul resulted in Payton fracturing his left elbow, placing serious doubt around him playing again this postseason.
During the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called the play “dirty.” Following the game, he added that Brooks “broke the code” with his foul, while Stephen Curry said the foul was out of line.
MORE: Steve Kerr sounds off on Dillon Brooks’ foul
Will Brooks’ foul result in further punishment? Here is everything you need to know.
Why was Dillon Brooks ejected in Game 2?
Following the review of the foul, lead official Scott Foster determined that Brooks’ foul on Payton was a Flagrant 2 because of the “wind up, impact and follow through to the head while (Payton) was prone to injury.”
ICYMI: Dillon Brooks was ejected early in the 1Q for a flagrant 2 foul on Gary Payton II.
🎥: @BleacherReport
pic.twitter.com/SI5aX2ihiD— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) May 4, 2022
Payton shot both free throws before exiting the game and undergoing testing that revealed the fracture in his dominant elbow.
Will Dillon Brooks be suspended for Game 3?
Brooks’ status for upcoming games will likely be determined through an official review process.
While Warriors forward Draymond Green was not suspended for a Flagrant 2 committed in Game 1 of this series, the nature of Brooks’ foul and the injury to Payton could make for a different result.
In January, Bucks guard Grayson Allen was suspended for “unnecessary and excessive contact that resulted in substantial injury” to Bulls guard Alex Caruso.
With Brooks’ foul resulting in substantial injury to Payton, a suspension could soon come for Memphis’ wing.
How many Flagrant fouls before a player is suspended?
In addition to a player earning a suspension through a league review, a player can earn an automatic suspension for repeated flagrant fouls.
For each Flagrant foul they receive, a player will rack up points. If a player has more than three Flagrant foul points in the postseason, they will earn an automatic one-game suspension.
After they serve their suspension, a player’s point total doesn’t go to zero. So if they pick up another flagrant foul, they will earn more points and will have to then serve an automatic two-game suspension.
Here’s how Flagrant foul points break down:
- Flagrant 1 = 1 point
- Flagrant 2 = 2 points
Even if Brooks is suspended based on a review from the league office, his points would not reset to zero, meaning any flagrant foul committed by Brooks moving forward would result in an automatic suspension.
As the series shifts to San Francisco, the Grizzlies and Warriors will be back in action on Saturday, May 7, when they meet for Game 3.