Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan and Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks were both ejected following a heated altercation during Thursday night's game. The incident overshadowed Houston's eventual 127-117 victory.

The tension erupted with 6:02 remaining in the third quarter. Jalen Green, driving the lane for Houston, was met by a forceful hip-check from DeRozan, sending Green crashing to the floor. Bulls coach Billy Donovan acknowledged potential missed calls earlier in the game that might have contributed to DeRozan's frustration.

DeMar DeRozan and Dillon Brooks Ejected After Flagrant Foul and Heated Exchange

Dillon Brooks, clearly unhappy with the play, confronted DeRozan, who was initially turned away. As DeRozan turned back, replays suggested an elbow connecting with Brooks' chin, sparking a shoving match. Teammates rushed in to separate the two players.

"I didn't love the way it went down," said Rockets coach Ime Udoka, specifically referring to Dillon Brooks' ejection. "He approached DeRozan calmly, but the rules penalize the player who escalates it further." Udoka defended Brooks' actions, highlighting his role in protecting teammates.

The situation escalated further, with security personnel and additional players getting involved. After reviewing the incident, officials deemed DeRozan's foul on Green a Flagrant 2, resulting in his immediate ejection. Brooks received a technical foul for his part in the altercation, leading to his ejection as well.

Donovan expressed surprise at the severity of DeRozan's foul, believing it warranted a Flagrant 1 rather than a Flagrant 2 ejection. Udoka, while disappointed with Brooks' ejection, acknowledged his appreciation for his player's willingness to stand up for his teammates.

Heightened Tensions Lead to Ejections for Both Teams

DeRozan exited the game with a disappointing 16 points on a dismal 4-of-15 shooting night. Brooks, however, was Houston's leading scorer at the time of his ejection, putting up 23 points on a highly efficient 10-of-13 shooting performance.

DeMar DeRozan and Dillon Brooks being ejected undoubtedly impacted the game's flow and momentum. With both teams looking to climb the standings, this incident adds another layer of drama to the ongoing NBA season.

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Image credit of AP