As the Grizzlies hoped, Brooks has become an important part of their core. He has averaged 16.8 points per game over the last three seasons and emerged as one of the league’s most tenacious on-ball defenders. Brooks’ snarling swagger has prompted teammates to nickname him The Villain. Brooks, who signed a three-year, $35 million extension in 2020, has missed much of this season because of wrist and knee injuries, recently returning after an 11-week absence. He was reinserted into the starting lineup and figures to play a key role in a playoff run, particularly as the pest who harasses the opponent’s leading scorer. “We know how important he is to us,” Jenkins said.