Dillon Brooks was ejected from Friday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets after officials upgraded a physical incident with Jamal Murray to a Flagrant 2 foul — an automatic ejection under NBA rules. The incident occurred in the third quarter at Footprint Center, moments after Brooks attempted a turnaround jumper while being guarded by Murray. As Brooks fell backward during the shot attempt, his right leg swung forward and made contact with Murray in the groin area.
Murray immediately dropped to the floor, visibly in distress, and remained there for several seconds before rising and staying in the game. The referees initially called an offensive foul on Brooks, but after reviewing the play via replay, they reclassified it as a Flagrant 2 — reserved for unnecessary and excessive contact. That decision triggered Brooks’ immediate ejection, removing the Suns’ leading scorer from the contest.
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At the time of his ejection, Brooks had amassed 22 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting — including 4-of-5 from three-point range — and was pacing Phoenix in scoring. His departure came at a pivotal moment: the Suns trailed 83–76 and were attempting to stem a growing Nuggets surge. Without Brooks, Phoenix struggled to maintain offensive continuity, and Denver pulled away to win 127–120.
Jamal Murray, who finished with a game-high 39 points on 14-of-25 shooting, downplayed intent following the game. Speaking to reporters, Murray emphasized his relationship with Brooks — both are key members of Canada’s national team — and stated he did not believe the contact was deliberate. "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]."
The incident adds another chapter to the ongoing scrutiny of physicality in high-intensity NBA matchups — particularly between teams with deep playoff aspirations. Though neither player escalated the moment post-whistle, the visual impact of the contact and Murray’s reaction drew immediate attention from fans and broadcasters alike. The league’s discipline department is expected to review the play, though no suspension or fine has been announced as of Saturday morning.
Brooks’ ejection marks his second this season — he was also tossed in late November against the Minnesota Timberwolves for a shoving match with Jaden McDaniels. For Phoenix, the loss drops them to 23–22 on the season, further complicating their positioning in the tightly contested Western Conference standings. With injuries already affecting depth, losing a primary perimeter scorer like Brooks — even briefly — exposed vulnerabilities in the Suns’ offensive execution late in close games.
Denver, meanwhile, improved to 29–16 and extended its winning streak to five games. Murray’s performance — highlighted by clutch fourth-quarter baskets and elite shot-making off the dribble — underscored why he remains central to the Nuggets’ title defense. Coach Michael Malone praised Murray’s resilience but declined to comment on the Brooks incident, deferring to the league’s review process.
What comes next hinges on the NBA’s disciplinary review. While Flagrant 2 fouls often result in fines, suspensions depend on a player’s prior history and the league’s assessment of intent and severity. Brooks has no recent flagrant-related suspensions, which may weigh against a multi-game ban — but the groin contact will draw particular scrutiny given its sensitive nature and potential for injury. Suns head coach Frank Vogel confirmed postgame that Brooks will be available for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets unless the league issues additional discipline.
