PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was ejected Friday night in a 127-120 loss to the Denver Nuggets for kicking Jamal Murray in the groin.
Brooks attempted a turnaround jumper in the third quarter with Murray guarding, and when Brooks fell backward he kicked his right leg forward, making contact with Murray.
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Brooks was called for an offensive foul and Murray was writhing in pain on the court for a few moments before eventually getting up and staying in the game. The officials reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, which is an automatic ejection.
Murray — who finished with 39 points — said postgame that he didn't believe the kick was intentional and that he and Brooks are “buddies.” They are teammates on the Canadian national team.
“No, of course not," Murray said. "He’s shooting the ball. I mean, he might have flopped a little bit, but I don’t think he’s really trying to kick me in the (groin).”
Brooks was leading the Suns with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting at the time of his ejection.
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