Auburn forward Chad Baker-Mazara heads to locker room for unknown reason in first half

Auburn forward Chad Baker-Mazara left the floor on Saturday for an unknown reason. In the first half of the Auburn-Georgia game, Baker-Mazara left the game, but did so without any medical assistance or trainers. The SEC Network broadcast noted that he seemed frustrated as he left the floor, but they couldn’t figure out the reason why.

Baker-Mazara eventually returned to the floor after a few minutes in the locker room and he was dominant. He also got a technical foul after getting in a verbal confrontation with R.J. Melendez of Georgia. Both players went face to face for a couple of seconds before being separated.

Baker-Mazara poured in 18 points in the first half vs. Georgia and he was flat out unstoppable. Auburn led Geogia 45-34 at halftime. Baker-Mazara connected on six of his seven field goal attempts in the first half. The 18 points in a half were the most points in a half for any Auburn player this season.

Baker-Mazara finished with 25 points, propelling the Tigers to a 97-76 win over the Georgia Bulldogs. He was unstoppable for much of the game and Georgia simply couldn’t find any answers for him. It turns out, he had some extra motivation. His former high school coach, Danny Brix, passed away this week. The junior found out a few days ago on his way traveling to Athens to face Georgia.

Chad Baker-Mazara on dedicating his performance to his old high school coach

Following the remarkable performance, Baker-Mazara spoke with the SEC Network crew. He talked about how he dedicated the game to his old high school coach.

“This was for my coach that just passed away. Danny Brix. Rest in Peace, coach. This was for you,” Baker-Mazara said.

“I just found out two days ago. He has seizures and stuff like that. And he had a seizure and ended up not getting well from it, so he ended up dying from impact. So, I just found out on my way here to Georgia. I don’t know, that just motivated me because he was just a guy who was always on my back since I left Colonial, which was my high school. Throughout my whole career, since I met him, he’s just been supporting me,” the junior said.

“It was just strategy. I found out that he just passed away at the age of 32. He was a very young coach. It’s part of life, though, it happens. Coach Thank You. He was there with me today. This was for him, though,” Baker-Mazara said following the big win.