Dillon Brooks on the Gary Payton II injury: 'If I could take it back, I would'
Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks spoke publicly for the first time since his flagrant foul-2 on Golden State's Gary Payton II resulted in a one-game suspension. Payton also fractured his elbow on the play and is out for the remainder of the series.
Brooks showed remorse for how the play ended, but reiterated that their was no malicious intent and that he was trying to make a play on the ball.
"I didn't mean for to hurt somebody," Brooks said. "If I were to take it back in that moment, I would."
The play led to a war of words. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that Brooks "broke the code" when he fouled Payton. He also called it a dirty play.- Other Warriors players also spoke about their disregard for the foul, but Kerr's statement about breaking the code became its own conversation.
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"I don't even know what that means," Brooks said. "It's the playoffs. Every bucket, every pass, every possession, every play counts."
With Ja Morant doubtful to play, the return of Brooks is even more important. He adds depth on the wings, but Memphis will also need as many capable scoring options as it can get against Golden State's dynamic offense.
Brooks had to watch Game 3 from his hotel. Not only is his scoring boost an important addition, but he's been one of the Grizzlies' best wing defenders.
"DB's going to be huge for us," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. "We always talk about him being a tone-setter for us defensively."
Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Dillon Brooks on Gary Payton injury: Says he would take it back
