Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game without pay by the NBA, and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell fined $20,000 for his or her roles in an on-court incident on Thursday night.
The league announced the punishments on Friday.
Brooks swung and struck Mitchell within the groin area in the course of the third quarter after the Grizzlies guard had fallen to the ground. Mitchell retaliated by throwing the ball at Brooks after which shoving him.
Each players were ejected in Cleveland’s 128-113 win.
Afterward, Mitchell accused Brooks of being a unclean player.
“That’s just who he’s,″ Mitchell said. “We’ve seen it a bunch on this league with him. Him and I even have had our personal battles for years. There’s no place for that in the sport. This has been brewing for years with me and other guys within the league. This isn’t recent.”
The league said Brooks will serve his suspension on Sunday, when the Grizzlies host the Toronto Raptors.
Initially, Mitchell was scheduled to talk with reporters in Cleveland’s locker room. However the All-Star guard opted for the team’s larger interview room so he could address the incident with Brooks.
“I’m losing money,” Mitchell said before answering questions.
Mitchell said he and Brooks have been feuding for years. He also noted that Brooks has had similar altercations with other players.
“I’m not typically someone who gets ejected for stuff like that,” Mitchell said. “But at the top of the day, I feel my response was reacting to an inexpensive shot. If punishment doesn’t come from that, he’s just going to maintain doing it.
“It’s just dumb to be honest with you and I’m going to appeal it because I don’t think I should’ve gotten ejected for defending myself.”
Before his ejection, Mitchell was having a rough night. He scored just six points on 2-of -1 shooting in 22 minutes while being guarded by Brooks. The 2 had matched up frequently when Mitchell played for Utah.
“That was cool once we were just talking, but that right there, a line must be drawn,” Mitchell said. “The NBA has to do something about it. I’m not the one person this has happened to and there’s no place for that on this game.
“I took matters into my very own hands. When you may have an inexpensive shot like that, there was no need to try this.”
