Brook's Series Altering Play!!!!

 2:52 seconds into the first quarter of game 2 a series altering play was made by the Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillion Brooks. Brooks committed a Flagrant Foul against Warriors guard Gary Payton II. This resulted in Brooks being ejected from the game and Payton II to be taken out of the game with a fractured elbow. Payton is ruled out for the rest of the second round of the playoffs and Western Conference Finals if the Warriors advance. Brooks is suspended for tonight's game 3. 

Payton II is one of the few defensive stoppers that the Warriors have and with him out for the series it can drastically change the Warriors defensive rotations and efficiency. With no Gary Payton II this will put pressure on Klay Thompson to try and turn into that phenomenal two way player he was prior to his injuries 2 years ago. This will likely be difficult and can mean more paint points for Ja Morant who has been incredible the first two games of the series scoring 30 plus in both games. Morant has the ability to drive and slither his way to the paint with his aggressive driving ability. In addition, with the absence of Payton II it leaves a void when guarding the trio of guards  that  Memphis plays in key moments and can lead to Memphis exploiting mismatches for drive and kick situations.

The Warriors will put up a great fight against Memphis and put in the effort of a champion.

If Memphis has learned not to start slow on the road like they did against Minnesota then you’ll see the Grizzlies and Ja Morant in the Western Conference Finals. I believe the injury to Payton II is too much for the Warriors to overcome and will ultimately fall to the Grizzlies in 7 games. The question is based on Brooks’ actions does this taint any possible championship run that Memphis may make.