Rockets’ Dillon Brooks, Ime Udoka Face Hefty Fines After Heated Exchange With Official

The Houston forward and coach used “inappropriate language” at an official in Sunday’s loss to the Bucks.

The NBA announced Tuesday that Rockets forward Dillon Brooks and coach Ime Udoka were both fined for their run-in with official Suyash Mehta during Houston’s 128-119 loss to the Bucks on Sunday at Fiserv Forum.

Brooks was penalized $35,000 for using “inappropriate language” aimed at Mehta and for publicly criticizing officiating after the game, while Udoka was fined $25,000 for deploying vulgar language at the ref.

The exchange occurred in the final minute of Sunday’s game when Bucks forward Khris Middleton threw a bad pass that was stolen by Brooks. 

Brooks tried to save the basketball from going out of bounds but threw it into Milwaukee guard Pat Connaughton’s hands and crashed into the scorer’s table. 

He was assessed a technical foul for flopping, but argued that Middleton pushed him out of bounds. Brooks continued chirping at Mehta as he continued down the court.

Brooks was handed another technical foul and was ejected from the game, as was Udoka when he came to the forward’s defense.

Dillon Brooks ($35,000) and Ime Udoka ($25,000) have both been fined for this by the #NBA…

(🎥 via @legendz_nba)pic.twitter.com/Kd9BhTd589 https://t.co/9b8UKIb8UG

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) December 19, 2023

Brooks, who deems himself as the NBA’s villain, is known for arguing with referees and leads the league with nine technical fouls this season.

In 24 games, Brooks is averaging 14.0 points, 3.6 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting 47.3% from the floor during his first season in Houston. 

The Rockets (13–11) are currently ninth in the Western Conference standings and are coming off a 135–130 overtime loss to the Cavaliers on Monday.