The Memphis Grizzlies had a prime opportunity to steal Game 4 on the road against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies faltered late, suffering a 101-98 defeat to fall down 3-1 in the second-round series.
While it was an admirable effort for the Grizzlies, especially on the defensive end, they naturally struggled offensively against a tough Warriors defense without Morant. Some of those struggles were self-inflicted, though, with Dillon Brooks a major culprit. He shot a woeful 5-of-19 from the field for 12 points, and his shot selection late in the game played a key role in Memphis' late collapse.
Brooks had a questionable shot attempt blocked by Klay Thompson with the Grizzlies up 93-90 with a minute and a half to go, and then he chucked up a wild 3-pointer with the score 93-92 moments later. He did make his last two shots, but one of those was a heave at the buzzer that didn't affect the outcome. Prior to those final two makes, he was 3-of-17 from the field.
Brooks is renowned for his questionable shot selection, which can be a blessing and a curse. The swingman can get hot and spark Memphis with his quick-strike abilities, but sometimes he goes way overboard and just is out of control with his attempts. His awful Game 4 had NBA Twitter in full-blown slander mode:
Dillon Brooks has STRUGGLED vs. the Warriors this postseason… 😬
Game 1: 8 PTS on 3-of-13 FG, 5 fouls
Game 2: 0 PTS on 0-of-3 FG, Ejected
Game 3: *SUSPENDED*
Game 4: 12 PTS on 5-of-19 FG, 5 foulsTotal: 20 PTS on 8-of-35 FG, 11 fouls pic.twitter.com/DDxcDNWN8G
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 10, 2022
Dillon Brooks masterclass sell job. pic.twitter.com/F3NEyCQwCB
— RB (@RyB_311) May 10, 2022
2pac if dillon brooks was the shooter that vegas night in 96. pic.twitter.com/u97D6ZV4w3
— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) May 10, 2022
Dillon brooks after taking a bad shot pic.twitter.com/0JBTTJCRz3
— IT Curse (@dirtyboyz_) May 10, 2022
Dillon Brooks pulling up to the Warriors locker room after the game pic.twitter.com/MGI5Y7JQDw
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) May 10, 2022
If Dillon Brooks hadn’t been ejected in Game 2 this would have been a sweep smh
— Addisu Demissie (@ASDem) May 10, 2022
Grizzlies looking at Dillon Brooks after hitting that buzzer beater pic.twitter.com/rGz3jIyh6L
— Overtime (@overtime) May 10, 2022
“It’s Dillon Brooks time”
– Dillon Brooks— Anchorage Man (@SethPartnow) May 10, 2022
Brooks did somehow finish the game with a team-high eight assists, but many wondered why Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins played him 39 minutes instead of giving somebody else a chance given how damaging his poor shooting was. Perhaps Jenkins wanted to try to build back up his confidence after he was suspended last game for his cheap shot on Gary Payton II. Again, this is a player who has helped Memphis win a bunch of games, but on this night, it simply wasn't meant to be.
Ouch:
The lack of self awareness by Dillon Brooks now has Memphis down 3-1 instead of 2-2.
The worst shot selection that I have seen a player take in a playoff game.
For the series in 3 games
9-44 from the field
3-21 from 3 https://t.co/BZHdjGfEP8— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 10, 2022
Get 'em next time, Grizzlies?
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