Even if he was ousted earlier and not obliged to enter the postgame room, Donovan Mitchell still made efforts to be on the podium and spicing criticize Dillon Brooks.
As the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Memphis Grizzlies in a gritty 128-113 win, Mitchell didn’t mince words as he called out Brooks for the unsportsmanlike act he made Thursday.
“The NBA has to do something about it,” Mitchell said, via Commercial Appeal’s Damichael Cole.
“That’s just who he is. We’ve seen it a bunch in this league with him. … Quite frankly, I’ve been busting his a– for years. Playoffs, regular season. The one game he does an all right job on me today, he decides to do something like that. There’s no place for that in the game.”
Mitchell and Brooks went into it in the middle of the third frame, as the veteran hit the groin of the All-Star guard following a tight Grizzlies possession.
Mitchell was in pain and threw the ball towards Brooks upon falling down. He quickly stood up and ignited an altercation that forced both teams to send units to stop the incident.
Officials took a huddle to review the play and eventually slapped both players with an ejection each. As such, the Cavs fans within the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse weren’t pleased with Mitchell’s premature exit.
Mitchell, who is set to play again in front of the Salt Lake City crowd at the 2023 All-Star Game this Feb. 19, had a rough night with only six points in 2-for-11 shooting as he head to the locker room to conclude the intense night.
For Cleveland head coach J.B Bickerstaff, Mitchell’s response against Brooks was only rightful from all angles.
“That was a cheap shot in multiple ways,” Bickerstaff said. “A guy should have the right to stand up for himself. I thought Donovan did that. I’m proud of our guys. We don’t have those guys that start (expletive)t, but we have guys who don’t run from (expletive) shit and you have to in this league.
“You have to stand up for yourself. That’s what he did and his teammates had his back.”
