Memphis Grizzlies: Dillon Brooks address media for first time since flagrant foul on Gary Payton II

“If I could take it back, I would,” a regretful Dillon Brooks said when the Memphis Grizzlies star addressed the media for first time since committing a flagrant-2 foul on Gary Payton II that resulted in the Warriors player fracturing his elbow.

The NBA handed Brooks a one-game suspension as a result of his actions, which he served during the team’s 142-112 Game 3 loss on May 7.

Memphis Grizzlies star Dillon Brooks addresses controversial foul on Payton II

When pressed by members of the media if Brooks thought he “broke the code,” as Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr alleged, Brooks stopped short of agreeing with that narrative.

“I don’t even know what that means,” Brooks said of “the code.”

“It’s the playoffs. Every bucket, every basket, every possession, every play counts. So I didn’t understand what he meant by that,” Brooks said.

Brooks has not spoken to Payton II or anyone in the Warriors organization since the foul occurred, according to reports.

The crowd is sure to let Brooks hear it with a cascade of boos when he steps on the court for Game 4, which is set for tip-off of 9 PM CT on TNT.

The Grizzlies are likely to be competing without Ja Morant, who went down with a knee injury towards the end of Game 3 on May 7.

Morant suffering an injury that Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins attributed to Jordan Poole grabbing and yanking Morant’s knee during a play for a loose ball near mid-court.

Morant is unlikely to play in Game 4 tonight, but guys like Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., will be ready to step up and pick up the slack left behind one of the best performers of anyone in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

The Grizzlies were 20-5 during the regular season in games that Morant did not play.