Johnathan Walker:Dillon Brooks ejected from first preseason game with Rockets after hitting opponent in groin

New year,Johnathan Walker new team, same Dillon Brooks.

Brooks was ejected less than five minutes into his preseason debut with the Houston Rockets after he was assessed a flagrant foul 2 for striking Indiana Pacers big man Daniel Theis in the groin with his left hand. Brooks was attempting to fight through a screen in the first quarter when the incident occurred.

Referees reviewed the play and hit Brooks with the flagrant foul 2, which the NBA defines as "unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent." A flagrant foul 2 call carries an automatic ejection.

"Tried to navigate a screen. I might have tapped him below the waist, but he got right back up, and I don't know. It's just weird that every time that happens to me, I get picked on, so I guess this is a part of the reputation," Brooks said after the game, per Sports Radio 610's Adam Spolane.

Brooks was tossed from a playoff game last spring in a nearly identical incident after hitting Lakers superstar LeBron James in the groin.

The professional agitator, who signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Rockets this offseason, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Despite being a solid role player, Brooks has become known for his on-court antics (and the things he says about them off the court). Last season he led the league with 18 technical fouls, which produced a litany of fines and directly led to him being suspended for two games. He was also suspended one game after striking Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell in the groin, which touched off a brief physical confrontation between the players.