4/23/2022 – Los Angeles, CA

The NBA playoffs took a dramatic turn on Saturday when Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks was ejected for hitting Lakers superstar LeBron James in the groin early in the third quarter of their third game of the series. The incident sparked heated exchanges between the two teams for the remainder of the game.

Brooks, who had been guarding James closely all game, claimed that he was trying to swipe the ball away from James when he accidentally made contact with his lower body. “It was a basketball play, nothing more, nothing less,” Brooks said on social media. “I don’t respect LeBron as a player. He’s old. These things happen in the NBA. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Don’t be a crybaby. Tough it out, dude.”

James, who collapsed to the floor in pain and had to be helped up, disagreed with Brooks’ explanation. “He did it on purpose. He knew what he was doing,” James said. “He’s a dirty player and he should be suspended for the rest of the series. I’m just glad I still have two functioning testicles. Brooks was definitely going for the balls, just not the right one. He’s lucky I didn’t retaliate.”

The Lakers coach Darvin Ham also expressed his displeasure with Brooks’ actions and called for a harsh punishment from the league. “That was a flagrant foul and a cheap shot. He intentionally tried to hurt our best player and take him out of the game,” Ham said. “He should be ashamed of himself. He has no place in this league.”

The Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins defended his player and accused James of exaggerating his injury. “Dillon is a hard-nosed defender who plays with passion and intensity. He didn’t mean to hurt LeBron. He was just going for the ball,” Jenkins said. “LeBron is a great actor. He knows how to draw fouls and get sympathy from the refs. He’s been doing it for years.”

The other players also weighed in on the controversy. Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell said that he was proud of James for showing restraint and not retaliating against Brooks. “LeBron is a class act. He’s a leader and a role model. He doesn’t let anyone get under his foreskin,” Russell said. “He’s better than that. Unlike some people.”

Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. said Brooks was in the right for standing up to James and not backing down. “Dillon is a warrior. He’s a competitor and a fighter. He doesn’t let anyone push him around,” Jackson Jr. said. “I mean, let’s be honest. James should have won like 1,000 Academy Awards for flopping by now.”

The Lakers won the game 111-101 and took a 2-1 lead in the series.  Play resumes Monday in Los Angeles.