NBA will not issue additional penalty against Dillon Brooks for groin shot to LeBron James

The NBA will not issue an additional penalty for Memphis’ Dillon Brooks for his one-handed shot to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ groin area in Game 3, a person with direct knowledge of the league’s decision told USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the situation.

Brooks, who was issued a flagrant foul 2 and ejected from the Lakers’ 111-101 Game 3 victory on Saturday, is available for Game 4 on Monday in Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET, TNT). The Lakers lead the series 2-1.

On the play in question, Brooks was defending James, who tried to dribble the basketball behind his back. As James did that, Brooks tried swiping at the basketball with his left hand and nailed James in the groin area.

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Brooks was not having a great game offensive – just 3-for-13 shooting with seven points, two rebounds, one steal and one turnover. In Memphis’ Game 2 victory, Brooks trash-talked James during and after the game, calling him old.

"I don't care, he's old. I poke bears," Brooks said after Game 2. "I don't respect no one until they come and give me 40 (points). I pride myself on what I do on defense and taking any challenge on the board."

James and Brooks had a brief conversation before Game 3, but it’s unknown what was said.

"At the end of the day, my focus is to my teammates and us trying to figure out a way we can beat the Memphis Grizzlies not how I can beat an individual on their team," James said. "If anybody know me, they should know that’s what I always been about. And, you know, that’s all that matters."

Memphis guard Ja Morant, who scored a game-high 45 points in his first game back since injuring his hand in Game 1 and missing Game 2, said he thought Brooks might receive a one-suspension, just as Golden State’s Draymond Green received for stomping on the chest of Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis.

The NBA suspended Brooks one game earlier this season for "striking (Cleveland’s Donovan) Mitchell in the groin area in an unsportsmanlike manner."

James, when asked if he thought Brooks should be suspended, said he didn’t know.

"I mean, I’m not part of the committee,'' he said. "So if he’s in the lineup, if out of the lineup, we’ve got to prepare no matter what. So I look forward to the challenges that Monday will bring."

Brooks did not speak with reporters following the loss.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dillon Brooks not penalized further for groin shot to LeBron James