The Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets played an emotional game on Thursday night, which resulted in the dismissal of both teams’ players, DeMar DeRozan and Dillon Brooks. The altercation turned into a brawl on the court as Houston defeated Chicago 127-117.
As the third quarter came to an end and the Rockets were leading, DeRozan hip-checked Jalen Green, sending Green to the ground and starting a fight. Billy Donovan, the coach of the Bulls, commented on the reason, implying that it was upset over missed calls that preceded the event.
Donovan stated, “I believe there was some contact on some drives, some fouls, and prior calls that were not called.” DeMar clearly leaped off that screen and fouled Green.
DeRozan and Brooks got into a violent brawl as soon as Brooks approached him. Ime Udoka, the coach of the Rockets, voiced his anger with Brooks’ dismissal, blaming it on his style.
Udoka said, “I didn’t love it because he got elbowed.” He approached without making any strange remarks. However, they claim that the person who kind of started it and brought it to that point after DeRozan done what he did was expelled as a result.
When Torrey Craig and Brooks stumbled over a fallen security guard, the scene worsened as team personnel and security tried to break up the melee.
Officials reviewed the play and determined that DeRozan’s first foul was a flagrant 2, which led to his dismissal. Due to his involvement in the brawl, Brooks was also removed after being given a technical foul. Donovan said he was taken aback by how harsh DeRozan’s punishment was.
“I don’t believe DeMar intended to receive a flagrant 2. Undoubtedly, that was a foul and, naturally, a flagrant one, and they were attempting a free shot, Donovan stated. “I don’t believe he ever intended to do that. To be honest, I was a little shocked that it was upgraded to a flagrant 2.
When they left, DeRozan had scored 16 points for Chicago, while Brooks was leading Houston with 23 points. Curtis Blair, the crew chief, gave official commentary on the decisions.
“Due to the excessive and unnecessary contact, DeRozan was given a flagrant foul penalty of two,” Blair clarified. “Brooks received a technical foul and was ejected because he escalated the situation.”