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SPORTS Friday 21 april 2023
Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks trying to get under LeBron’s skin

By TERESA M. WALKER Brooks led the NBA in tech-
AP Sports Writer nical fouls with 18, earning
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — a pair of one-game sus-
Calling the NBA’s all-time pensions for surpassing the
leading scorer — regular league threshold for techs.
season and playoffs — old The 18th was the latest in
and just another player steady increase during the
might not seem very smart past three seasons.
to most folks. Golden State fans remain
For Dillon Brooks, that’s just angry that Brooks only got
the Grizzlies’ defender try- a one-game suspension
ing to get under LeBron during the Western Confer-
James’ skin. ence semifinals last post-
Brooks is one of the NBA’s season when Gary Payton
best defenders. He started II broke his left elbow on a
off the mind games be- Flagrant 2 foul by Brooks
fore their first-round West- that also got him ejected.
ern Conference series was Brooks said James called
locked in, saying he want- him “dumb” when he
ed to face James and the picked up his fourth foul.
Lakers. Brooks took that as a win.
And Brooks didn’t hold back “I was expecting him to do
after his Grizzlies tied this se- that Game 4, Game 5,”
ries at 1-1 without Ja Mo- Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) goes sup for a dunk against Los Angeles Lakers Brooks said.
rant. Brooks called James a forward LeBron James (6) during the first half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff Both the Grizzlies and Lakers
legend yes, but “old” at 38. series Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. were unavailable Thursday,
He added James isn’t the Associated Press traveling to Los Angeles for
player who won titles in Mi- Nevada and was the 45th spoke to reporters Wednes- the NBA’s best. Brooks had Game 3 on Saturday night.
ami and Cleveland. Brooks, pick overall out of Oregon day night before Brooks the league’s second-most Brooks made it clear that
27, is in the final year of his in 2017. He was acquired called him a “legend” and matchups defensively he enjoys poking “bears,”
contract. by Memphis from Houston “old,” said before the series against All-Stars and led the respecting no one until
“I’m creating a name in a draft-night trade. started the Lakers couldn’t league by holding those someone scores 40 against
for myself,” Brooks said He’s followed in the Mem- overlook someone who All-Stars to 32.9% shooting. him. James scored his most
Wednesday night after a phis tradition of former elite can get hot as a shooter, That feisty attitude has points, with 28 in Game 2 in
103-93 win over the Lakers. NBA defender Tony Allen too. Brooks has a career- come with a literal price. this series.
This is nothing new for during the Grizzlies’ fran- high 37 points and had 32 Brooks was fined $35,000 for So challenge accepted for
Brooks, often called Dillon chise-record streak of sev- on Dec. 17 against Okla- shoving a camera person Brooks, who noted James
the Villain in Memphis. He en straight playoff berths. homa City. on the sideline while chas- went at him 1-on-1 and
embraces the heel role in a He has started 318 of 345 Brooks excels on defense. ing a loose ball in Miami then subbed out.
town where wrestling and games played in his career. This season, he held oppo- in March, which he apolo- “If It’s LeBron, if it’s AD (An-
trash talk is a way to make And Brooks has taken on nents a full 3% under their gized for later. He was sus- thony Davis), if it’s whoever,
a good living. It might seem the NBA’s best from Kevin usual field-goal percent- pended a game in Febru- I play my heart out, so he
a bit different for someone Durant to Donovan Mitch- age. That’s the NBA’s best ary for hitting Mitchell in the knows that,” Brooks said.
born in Mississauga, Ontar- ell to Stephen Curry back- mark among guards and groin in February, costing “I think most of the NBA
io. But the 6-foot-6 Brooks ing down from no one. wing players. him $78,621 in pay accord- knows that and I know my
played high school ball in That’s why James, who He’s at his best against ing to Spotrac.com. guys know.”q

Yanks’ Stanton on injuries: ‘It’s unacceptable this often’

By RONALD BLUM in the seventh inning and pointment at this stage is healthy,” Boone said. to be the great player that
AP Baseball Writer went on the injured list the hard to put into words and “He feels a responsibility to he is but to be able to do
NEW YORK (AP) — Side- following day. kind of comprehend,” he this team, this organization it more and more often.” q
lined with injuries for the Yankees manager Aaron said. “It’s very frustrating.”
11th time in 14 seasons, Boone estimated Stan- Stanton missed 223 of 546
Giancarlo Stanton is openly ton will be sidelined for six games in the previous
frustrated. weeks. four seasons because of a
“It’s unacceptable this of- “It’s a tightness. It’s a grab,” strained right biceps and
ten,” he said Thursday, five Stanton said. “It’s not a nor- strained posterior cruciate
days after straining his left mal feeling or a fun one.” ligament in his right knee
hamstring during a game A five-time All-Star, the (2019), strained left ham-
against the Minnesota 33-year-old has been on string (2020), strained left
Twins. “The team relies on the injured list or disabled quadriceps (2021) and right
me and I can’t have this list seven times in five sea- ankle inflammation and left
continue to happen and sons with the Yankees. Achilles tendinitis (2022).
put us in a tough spot ... it’s As he spoke to media for “The one thing I can say in
my duty and responsibility the first time since getting Giancarlo’s case is I don’t
to be out there.” hurt, he pinched a cheek question his professional-
Stanton was hurt Saturday with his right hand, then ism and his commitment New York Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton hits a two-run double in
while pulling into second rubbed his hands together. to doing all he needs to do the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota
Twins, Saturday, April 15, 2023, in New York.
base with a two-run double “The disbelief and disap- to stay healthy and to be Associated Press