Dillon Brooks Faces Suspension After 16th Technical Foul of Season
Dillon Brooks might be one of the NBA’s best defenders, but his aggressive style just cost him again. The Rockets forward picked up his 16th technical foul of the season during Wednesday’s blowout 143-105 win over the Jazz, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.
This means the 29-year-old will miss Friday’s crucial matchup against the Thunder—a showdown between two of the Western Conference’s hottest teams.
His coach Ime Udoka isn’t giving up hope just yet.
“We’ll see,” Udoka said, suggesting the team plans to appeal the decision.
The latest technical came just 4 minutes into Wednesday’s game while Brooks was trying to post up against Jazz guard Collin Sexton. The incident happened only three days after Brooks was ejected during Sunday’s win over Phoenix following a shoving match with Kevin Durant.
Brooks clearly wants to play against fellow Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Friday’s big game.
“Usually, those things are considered flagrants, and I guess [the referee] misspoke,” Brooks said. “I’ll be ready to play on Friday.”
Udoka doesn’t seem convinced the technical will be rescinded, despite believing it wasn’t intentional.
“I don’t think it was an intentional kick,” the coach explained. “But it’s not always the case they rescind based on that.”
Brooks still managed to contribute 21 points and two rebounds in Wednesday’s win, helping Houston dominate even with teammate Fred VanVleet sidelined due to ankle and knee soreness.
The Canadian defender is averaging 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists this season while playing a key role in Houston’s surprising playoff push.
“To be able to clinch is great,” Brooks said about the Rockets securing a playoff spot. “We get to work on our stuff. I think we’re upbeat, happy that we clinched. But we’re not satisfied.”
