Only minutes into his debut for the Houston Rockets, Dillon Brooks hit his opponent – and fans are livid.
In his first preseason game with the Houston Rockets, Brooks was ejected against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
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Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks hit Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theiss and was handed a flagrant two-foul, resulting in an ejection
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Brooks played in his first preseason game with the Rockets after signing a four-year, $80million contract with the team in the summerCredit: Getty
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Last season, Brooks was the subject of scrutiny after being ejected for striking LeBron James in the groin during Game 3 of last season’s NBA playoffs against the Los Angeles LakersCredit: Reuters
Just over four minutes into the game, Brooks’ left hand hit Pacers center Daniel Theis in the groin.
The NBA refs reviewed the hit on video replay while Theis was visibly frustrated.
And after the review, Brooks was ejected after being given a flagrant two-foul.
Brooks was interviewed after the game and told reporters his side of the situation.
“I tried to navigate a screen,” Brooks said after the Rockets’ 122-103 preseason win, via ESPN.
Brooks then tied his ejection with his belief that refs have a target on his back.
He said: “What’s the name? What’s my name? My name is Dillon the Villain, so I guess.”
Brooks was the subject of scrutiny after being ejected for striking LeBron James in the groin during Game 3 of last season’s playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
He also gave a similar reason for the ejection, saying that fans and the media have made him “a villain.”
Still, NBA fans were up in arms over Brooks’ hit on Theiss.
One wrote: “That’s so bad.”
Another stated: “Suspend him immediately.”
While a third asked: “Dude what are you doing?”
Brooks signed a four-year, $80million contract with Houston in the summer.
He averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game last season with the Grizzlies while being named to the 2022-23 All-Defensive second team.
