Rival Player In Cleveland For First Time Since Cavs' Scuffle Last Year
Earlier this year in February, Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell made headlines around the world — and it wasn't because of a highlight play or game-winning shot.
Instead, in a postgame press conference, Mitchell blasted then-Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks for what he referred to as a cheap shot that led to a double ejection in the wine-and-gold's 128-113 victory over the Grizz.
"That’s just who he is. We have seen it a bunch in this league with him," Mitchell said sternly, yet in a calming tone. "Him and I have had our personal battles for years. Quite frankly, I’ve been busting his ass for years — playoffs, regular season. And the one game he does an alright job on me today, he decides to do something like that. No place for that in the game."
With the Cavs up 81-76 in the middle of the third quarter, Mitchell was going for a loose ball rebound after Brooks' shot was blocked by Evan Mobley. Brooks went to the ground, turned and caught Mitchell in the groin with his left hand. Mitchell did not take kindly to it, tossing the ball at Brooks afterward as an altercation followed.
"You’ve gotta protect yourself at the end of the day. This has been brewing for years— with me, with other guys in the league. You all see it. This isn’t new. Tonight was just the end of it," Mitchell said.
"It’s tough when you can’t guard somebody and you can’t do something with somebody, you’ve got to resort to that. And that is what he has done to a lot of players. Off the top of my head, I think it’s like Dame [Lillard] and Steph [Curry]. It’s just one of those things you resort to and that’s cool, but I’m glad my guys held it down tonight and had my back throughout the whole thing.”
Brooks had very little to say from his perspective, suggesting, "I just think people don't like me." Mitchell had more to say, though.
"We have been talking nonstop, but I wouldn’t say [it's ever gotten] to this extent," Mitchell said. "There’s always been talk. You can go back. I think it was like two years ago, regular season, 30 points a game (against him), it’s nonstop talking back and forth. That was cool when we were just talking. But that right there, a line has to be drawn.
"The NBA has to do something about it. I’m not the only person this has happened to, and there’s no place for that in this game. I took matters into my own hands. But at the end of the day, that ain’t it."
Feb 2, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) fights with Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) as referee Jonathan Sterling (17) tries to break them apart during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Closing his argument, Mitchell was disappointed Brooks went to that level just from a competition standpoint.
“I didn’t think it would be like that. Maybe the jawing back and forth, which is part of the game and it’s cool or whatever, but when you have a cheap shot like that – there was no need to do that," Mitchell said. "I wasn’t expecting that and then, that’s just how I reacted. If you just can’t guard somebody then just say that or just get a switch. You know what I mean? That’s what it is. It is what it is.”
About 10 months later, Brooks will step into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the first time since that moment, this time with the Houston Rockets.
Certainly, Mitchell hasn't forgotten about what happened last time he was in Cleveland. It'll be the first time these two have seen each other in a while.
Appointment television.
