What Dillon Brooks' suspension means for the Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks’ hard foul on Gary Payton Jr. sent the NBA world into a frenzy after the Grizzlies’ Game 2 win over Payton’s Golden State Warriors. Almost immediately after the Warriors announced Payton will miss at least two weeks with a fractured elbow, the NBA opted to suspend Brooks for Saturday’s Game 3. Payton missing […]
Dillon Brooks’ hard foul on Gary Payton Jr. sent the NBA world into a frenzy after the Grizzlies’ Game 2 win over Payton’s Golden State Warriors. Almost immediately after the Warriors announced Payton will miss at least two weeks with a fractured elbow, the NBA opted to suspend Brooks for Saturday’s Game 3.
Payton missing time absolutely impacted the league’s decision on Brooks. Although he was attempting to make a play on the ball, the wind up and contact to Payton’s head were surely excessive and unnecessary. Brooks was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and received an automatic ejection less than three minutes into the contest.
Winning without Brooks is not impossible as the Grizzlies proved in Tuesday’s Game 2, but his absence will definitely be felt. This is an unfortunate consequence for Brooks, who is the Grizzlies’ best perimeter defender and a crucial piece to the team’s offensive success.
However, there is a case to be made that having more than a day’s notice on his status gives head coach Taylor Jenkins more than enough time to devise a game plan sans Brooks.
In Game 2, the Grizzlies had to adjust midgame and work through different lineups and matchups on the fly. Jenkins has a bit of a head start on how to square up with the Warriors with Brooks being unavailable.
Without Brooks’ 18.4 PPG, Memphis will look to role players off the bench to step up and help fill the void. Ziaire Williams was a key contributor in Tuesday’s win dropping 14 points off of the bench including four made threes. As was Xavier Tillman who provided seven points in 13 minutes of action.
Memphis will need productive minutes from Williams, Brandon Clarke, and Kyle Anderson to withstand Golden State’s offensive prowess. Grizzlies center Steven Adams looks to make a possible return as well after missing time due to health and safety protocols. Adams’ return is a major addition in a series in which physicality is the focal point.
Without Payton, Golden State will be missing a key bench player for the remainder of the series. In Game 1 Payton dropped eight points and collected seven rebounds all while being tasked with the responsibility of guarding Ja Morant.
Unlike Payton, Brooks will return for Game 4 in the series, but a one game suspension is a punishment that fits the crime.
Life on the road is never easy, especially in the playoffs. The Grizzlies will have the odds stacked against them without Brooks in a hostile environment on Saturday night in The Bay.
Featured image via Petre Thomas – USA TODAY Sports
