Dillon Brooks, a forward from Memphis Grizzlies, avoided talking to reporters after some of the team's games in their series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Brooks was fined $25,000 for his violation of league rules for media interview access. The NBA said the fine results were due to Brooks' inability to participate in team postgame media availability during his first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
In the beginning of the playoffs series, Brooks began to trash-talk LeBron James. After he called James old, James was ejected from Game III for hitting the NBA's all-time leading scorer in the groin. He lambasted the media for labeling him the villain in the series.
He bolted from the Memphis locker room after Friday's series loss before reporters were allowed inside.
It was the second fine for Brooks this year, with the 6-foot-6 forward having to pay $35,000 for shoving a camera person on the sideline while he chased a loose ball against the Miami Heat in March. He was also suspended for a game in February for hitting Donovan Mitchell in the groin. That move cost him nearly $79,000 in fines.
If the offseason begins, Brooks is set to become a free agent.
In 73 games this season, he averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.