Dillon Brooks Responds to Steve Kerr’s Claim That He ‘Broke the Code’

The Grizzlies guard added that if he could take back the play, he would.

While talking to reporters Monday, Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks was asked what his reaction was to Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s claim that his flagrant-2 foul on Gary Payton II in Game 2 “broke the code.”

“No reaction,” he said, per NBA.com’s Mark Medina. “I don’t even know what that means in the playoffs. I did not even understand what he meant by that.”

During Game 2, Payton was going for a wide-open layup before he was hit from behind on the head by Brooks. He came crashing down onto the hardwood and braced himself with his left arm. It was later diagnosed as a fractured elbow but he still could return in the postseason.

Dillon Brooks received a flagrant 2 and was ejected from Game 2 for this foul on Gary Payton IIpic.twitter.com/XgPWsA8327

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 4, 2022

After the game, Kerr called the play “dirty” and said Brooks “broke the code” for hitting Payton while in mid-air. Brooks was suspended for Game 3 of the series in which the Warriors won, 142–112. 

Steve Kerr says Dillon Brooks broke the code when he fouled Gary Payton II. pic.twitter.com/511GCACpqU

— ESPN (@espn) May 4, 2022

Brooks stressed that he was trying to make a play on the ball and said if he could take it back, he would. Game 4 is scheduled to start Monday at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.  

Dillon Brooks: "It's a fast paced game. Stuff happens. Guy jumps up in the air and guys can contest shots. Sometimes the way is, guys can fall down." Brooks added, "it's a tough play; if I could take it back, I would."

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 9, 2022

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