Donovan Mitchell, Dillon Brooks Ejected After Fight
Feb 2, 2023, 7:55 PM
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) puts a shot up over Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 26, 2021. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks nearly came to blows in Cleveland Thursday night.
After Brooks missed a layup, he appeared to drag Mitchell to the floor as the Cavaliers guard grabbed the rebound. As Mitchell fell, he threw the ball and Brooks, then shoved the Grizzlies’ wing once they got to their feet.
Players from both teams surrounded Mitchell and Brooks to separate them as they once again pulled each other to the ground.
Donovan Mitchell vs. Dillon Brooks. 👀
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 3, 2023
As Brooks crashed to the floor he appeared to purposely roll into Mithell’s legs before taking a swing at his midsection.
Both players were ejected midway through the quarter with the Cavaliers owning an 81-76 lead.
Mitchell and Brooks have a history dating back to the All-Star’s time with the Jazz. The two faced off against one another in the opening round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs in a matchup that grew noticeably hostile.
At one point in the series, Mitchell drew the ire of the Grizzlies guard when he knocked down a three-point shot over Brooks and signaled for Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins to remove him from the game.
man on a mission pic.twitter.com/3fvG1i9hLP
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 3, 2021
Mitchell Earns First Starting All-Star Nod
After being named a reserve each of the last three seasons with the Jazz, Mitchell broke through as an All-Star starter with the Cavaliers.
The former Jazz guard was averaging a career-high 28.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 39 percent from the three-point line when he was named a starter last week.
The #NBAAllStar Eastern Conference Starters:
⭐️ Giannis Antetokounmpo
⭐️ Kevin Durant
⭐️ Donovan Mitchell
⭐️ Jayson Tatum
⭐️ Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/B2UDisxSv2— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 27, 2023
Mitchell spent five seasons with the Jazz, appearing in 345 games including 337 starts.
The guard averaged 23.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest while shooting 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from the three-point line.
Mitchell will be selected by either LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo who were voted as the captains of the two All-Star teams.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
