Overview
- Referees reviewed a mid-third-quarter contact in Game 1 of the NBA Cup and upgraded an initial foul to a flagrant 2, resulting in Dillon Brooks’ ejection for a kick that struck Jamal Murray in the groin.
- Brooks had led the Suns in first-half scoring and finished the game with 22 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal despite being ejected.
- Coverage frames the incident as an example of Brooks’ persistent physical style crossing a line on the play that produced the flagrant ruling.
- The ejection produced strong and profane reactions from fans online, with reporting noting public backlash but no follow-up NBA fines, suspensions, or official statements reported in these pieces.
- Brooks’ pattern of aggressive play has drawn scrutiny before, and this in-game removal highlights how officials may handle future contact from him in tight matchups.