In a highly charged game on March 30, 2025, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was ejected in the first half after an altercation with Phoenix Suns star, Kevin Durant.
The incident occurred after Brooks was called for a foul on Durant, which escalated into a shoving match involving Suns center Nick Richards. Brooks’ reaction to the call led to him receiving two technical fouls, resulting in his ejection.

Brooks, visibly frustrated, appeared to want to continue arguing with the officials before being restrained by a teammate as he left the court. The decision drew criticism from many fans and analysts on social media, with ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith tweeting, ‘Dillon Brooks did not deserve to get thrown out of this game.’

Despite Brooks’ ejection, the Rockets triumphed over the Suns with an impressive score of 148-109. However, controversy did not end there, as Durant later exited the game due to a sprained ankle, prompting an MRI on Monday.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka commented on Brooks’ role in the game, stating, ‘Everybody said at halftime when they came in, they all thanked Dillon for sparking us tonight.’ He added that while ejections like these could be frustrating, they often fueled the team’s performance.

This ejection marked Brooks’ first of the season and the seventh of his eight-year career, although he currently leads the league with 235 fouls and 15 technical fouls. If he receives one more technical foul, he risks an automatic one-game suspension.

Prior to his NBA career, Brooks was a standout player for the Oregon Ducks, where he left a significant mark as the No. 10 all-time career scorer with 1,612 points. He played under coach Dana Altman and was instrumental in leading the Ducks to the Final Four during the 2016-2017 season.

As the Rockets head towards the playoffs, the impact of Brooks’ performance and the controversies surrounding officiating will remain a critical focus for fans and analysts alike.