HOUSTON -- Rockets forward Dillon Brooks faces an automatic one-game suspension after he was whistled for his 16th technical foul of the season during the first quarter of Wednesday's 143-105 win over the Utah Jazz.
If the technical foul is not rescinded, Brooks will be suspended for Friday's home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rockets coach Ime Udoka said he expects the team to receive word from the league Thursday.
"We'll see," Udoka said.
Brooks received his 16th technical foul just three days after he was ejected Sunday during a win over the Phoenix Suns for his role in a brief shoving match with Kevin Durant.
Brooks' technical against the Jazz came just 4 minutes, 48 seconds into the game while trying to post up Utah guard Collin Sexton near the basket. With his back to Sexton, Brooks spun inside to attempt a turnaround jumper. But Sexton swiped the ball away before Brooks could get off the shot.
During the follow-through, Brooks kicked out his right leg, which appeared to strike Sexton near the groin. Sexton immediately doubled over in pain, as officials whistled a stop in play. After a brief review, referee Tony Brothers announced a technical foul for Brooks, resulting in a free throw for Sexton.
Brooks said afterward that he hopes the league rescinds the technical, allowing him to face fellow Canadian national teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder on Friday.
"Usually, those things are [considered] flagrants, and I guess [Brothers] misspoke," Brooks said, adding, "I'll be ready to play on Friday."
Once a player reaches 16 technical fouls, a potential suspension will increase by one game for every two additional technicals he receives. During the postseason, a player will need to accumulate a total of seven technical fouls before facing suspension.
"I don't think it was an intentional kick," Udoka said. "But it's not always the case they rescind based on that."
With Brooks as one of the organization's culture setters alongside veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, Houston clinched its first postseason berth since the 2019-20 season with Wednesday's win, becoming the second team in the Western Conference to reach 50 wins.
Brooks contributed 21 points and two rebounds Wednesday. VanVleet sat out due to ankle and knee soreness.
"To be able to clinch is great," Brooks said. "We get to work on our stuff. I think we're upbeat, happy that we clinched. But we're not satisfied."
An eighth-year veteran, Brooks is averaging 13.9 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 assists this season.