Memphis had the league's third-best defense, led by Brooks and Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.
Brooks' play, however, deteriorated during the playoffs. In the first round loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, he shot only 31.2% of his field goals and 23.8% of his three-point attempts.
During the Lakers' first-round series, Brooks attracted attention. He gained notoriety after the Grizzlies won Game 2 by labeling LeBron James "old" and teasing him with a 40-point challenge.
When Brooks hit LeBron James in the groin during Game 3, the crowd booed him and he was sent home. With a resounding 40-point victory in Game 6, the Lakers ultimately took the series.
Taylor Jenkins, the team's coach, emphasized the team's immaturity during the Lakers series, and Zach Kleiman, the general manager, spoke of'self-created distractions' following the series.