Why was Dillon Brooks ejected from Game 2?

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks was thrown out for a flagrant foul less than three minutes into Game 2 of their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

Brooks out after Payton falls hard

Brooks was pursuing Gary Payton who was going for a layup, then hit the Warriors guard on the head while in the air as he went for and completely missed the ball.

Payton fell hard on his left arm, and after officials reviewed the play, they slapped Brooks with a flagrant 2 foul which spelled automatic ejection.

Payton split his free throws, then went to the locker room to have his elbow examined. The Warriors later announced that he would be out for the remainder of the game.

Second round marred by ejections

This is the second ejection in as many games so far in the semifinal series. Officials handed Golden State forward Draymond Green a flagrant 2 in Game 1 after he hit Memphis forward Brandon Clarke in the face.

Green also had to exit minutes into Game 2 with a bloody right eye, after Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman elbowed his face while fighting for a loose ball.

The Warriors called for a timeout and Green headed to the locker room, flipping Grizzlies fans the bird along the way. His eye was stitched up, and the 32-year-old returned to the court at the start of the second quarter.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr expressed his displeasure at the how the first quarter played out.

“No, that wasn’t physical, that was dirty,” said Kerr.