Canadian forward Brooks fined after ejection for arguing with official

Dec 19, 2023 | 11:29 AM

NEW YORK — The NBA has fined Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks US$35,000 for directing inappropriate language toward a game official and publicly criticizing officiating.

Brooks was given two technical fouls and ejected with 38.9 seconds left in Houston’s 128-119 loss at Milwaukee on Sunday. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was also ejected.

After being given a technical for flopping, Brooks continued to argue the call with official Suyash Meta until being ejected.

Brooks, who contended he was pushed out of bounds by Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton on the play that preceded his first technical, complained about the officiating after the game.

Udoka, who came onto the court during the altercation, was fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language toward a game official.

Brooks, from Mississauga, Ont., is averaging 13.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in his first year in Houston and is shooting a career-best 39 per cent from the three-point line.

Known for playing a hard-nosed defensive game, Brooks is no stranger to running afoul of NBA officials.

He already has seven technical fouls this season after being assessed 18 in 2022-23 with the Memphis Grizzlies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2023.

The Canadian Press