Rockets Suspend Aaron Brooks for Early Exit

Brooks, unhappy with having been taken out of the game in the fourth quarter on Saturday night, walked straight to the locker room instead of sitting on the bench. Houston has punished him with a one-game suspension. From the Chronicle: “Frustrated for weeks about his diminished role, Rockets guard Aaron Brooks will have no role at all tonight against the Denver Nuggets. The Rockets suspended Brooks for one game for leaving the court in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center, general manager Daryl Morey said. Morey said he would have no additional comment. Brooks did not travel with the Rockets to Denver on Sunday. Rookie guard Ish Smith will be recalled from the NBA Development League in time to join the team in Denver. Brooks was taken out of Saturday’s game with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, but instead of heading to the bench, he went to the locker room. Brooks has said he had been frustrated with his role coming off the bench and with his play but had gotten over it. He was not available for comment Sunday. The tension among Rockets players has seemed to become an increasing issue in recent weeks, with coach Rick Adelman working to squeeze Brooks into the backcourt rotation, often closing games with Brooks and Kyle Lowry playing together. That has limited the minutes of several players, most notably Courtney Lee off the bench and Kevin Martin late in games.”