Dillon Brooks Ejected in his debut game, Brooks who recently inked an $86 million, four-year deal with the Houston Rockets, was ejected just five minutes into his debut with the team for a foul on Daniel Theis. Brooks is known for his outspokenness and physical style of play in the NBA. He previously faced suspensions during the 2022 playoffs for a questionable hit on Gary Payton II and was suspended again last season for receiving his 16th technical foul. The Rockets signed him to bring a tough mindset to the team, and he certainly delivered on that expectation with a debut that aligned with his reputation.
Dillon Brooks Ejected in His Debut Game
The incident occurred during the Rockets’ preseason game against the Indiana Pacers. Brooks, who started as the small forward, committed a foul against Daniel Theis approximately four minutes and 33 seconds into the game. The foul was eventually deemed flagrant-2, resulting in Brooks being ejected from the game less than five minutes into his first appearance for Houston.
Dillon Brooks was ejected from the Rockets’ preseason game ? pic.twitter.com/qWt0RwQBzA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 11, 2023
While the Rockets would prefer to see Brooks avoid ejections in regular season games, such incidents have minimal impact during the preseason. Brooks was brought in to instill a particular type of intensity in a Rockets team that has struggled to defend and win games in recent years. Ejections and questionable hits are not part of the desired tone, but playing tough, physical basketball is.
Dillon Brooks is in the initial year of his $86 million contract with the Rockets, having been acquired after the Memphis Grizzlies chose not to re-sign him, partly due to the fines, suspensions, and media attention he attracts. The Rockets likely anticipated such occurrences when they signed him, but the swiftness with which they have transpired may have caught the front office by surprise.
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