NBA suspends Brooks, fines Mitchell for fight with Grizz-Cavs

Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks was suspended one game without pay by the NBA, and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell was fined $20,000 for his role in an on-court incident Thursday night.

The league announced the penalties on Friday.

Brooks swung and hit Mitchell in the groin area during the third quarter after the Grizzlies guard fell to the ground. Mitchell retaliated by throwing the ball at Brooks and then shoving him.

Both players were sent off in Cleveland’s 128-113 win.

Afterwards, Mitchell accused Brooks of being a bad guy.

“It’s just who he is,” Mitchell said. “We’ve seen it a lot in this league with him. He and I have had our personal battles for years. There’s no place for that in the game. It’s been brewing for years with me and other guys in the league. It’s not new.

The league said Brooks will serve his suspension on Sunday, when the Grizzlies host the Toronto Raptors.

Initially, Mitchell was to speak with reporters in the Cleveland locker room. But the All-Star guard opted for the biggest interview room on the team so he could address the incident with Brooks.

“I’m losing money,” Mitchell said before taking questions.

Mitchell said he and Brooks had been feuding for years. He also noted that Brooks had had similar altercations with other players.

“I’m not usually someone who gets kicked out for stuff like that,” Mitchell said. “But at the end of the day, I think my reaction was reacting to a cheap shot. If the punishment doesn’t come from there, he’ll just keep doing it.

“It’s just stupid to be honest with you and I’m going to appeal because I don’t think I should have been sent off for standing up for myself.”

Prior to his expulsion, Mitchell was having a rough night. He scored just six points on 2-for-1 shooting in 22 minutes while guarded by Brooks. The two had clashed regularly when Mitchell played for Utah.

“It was cool when we were talking, but there you have to draw a line,” Mitchell said. “The NBA needs to do something about this. I’m not the only person this has happened to and there’s no room for that in this game.

“I took matters into my own hands. When you got a low kick like that, there was no need to do that.

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