The Phoenix Suns faced the Golden State Warriors without key defensive player Dillon Brooks and ultimately fell on Tuesday, but one incident caught a lot of attention. Despite missing the game, Brooks remained invested in his team’s performance, which ultimately led to him being assessed a technical foul in the final three minutes, allowing the game to slip out of reach. Afterward, the forward reportedly delivered a message to the locker room.

The intensity spilled over in the fourth. After Devin Booker mounted a massive comeback in the second half, the Warriors fell from a double-digit lead at the halftime break, leading by just nine points with less than three minutes remaining. Brooks, annoyed with a call, animatedly shouted at the officials during Stephen Curry’s free throws, prompting a reaction from the crowd and a smile from Draymond Green, and the refs quickly gave him a technical foul. Even teammates were involved. Suns forward Isaiah Livers tried to cover Brooks’ mouth, and tried to jokingly avoid the officials’ call by quipping, “He was talking to me!” highlighting the chaotic energy Brooks carries with him.

After the game, Devin Booker addressed the incident, saying that the team had moved on from it after Brooks called his behavior “selfish.” The comments speak to his mindset and leadership, highlighting that despite emotions sometimes boiling over during competition, he takes responsibility and reinforces the importance of accountability with his teammates.

Dillon Brooks has established himself as one of the NBA’s most tenacious and fiery personalities since his days in Memphis. Even last year, his aggressive style of play earned a lot of frustration from opponents and officials alike. During the 2024-25 season, Brooks was called for 16 technical fouls, the second-highest in the league behind just Anthony Edwards, serving as a testament to his willingness to push the boundaries of hard-nosed defense. While this has often resulted in disciplinary action, it has also helped his reputation as a player who helps build culture and brings energy to every possession, especially during high-stakes moments.

Brooks has also been involved in multiple high-profile on-court incidents, including one with Kevin Durant that resulted in his ejection and a technical foul against Collin Sexton that resulted in a $5,000 fine, which showcases his fearless approach to guarding scorers, regardless of stature.

Teammates and coaches have often praised Brooks as well. Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka previously told reporters, “For a guy that doesn’t get a lot of playcalls, he really impacts the game. He hunts his shots in a good way, not a selfish way.” Rockets guard Amen Thompson also praised him, saying, “He’s the coolest. It surprised me, to be honest. He’s the coolest dude. Really chill. He works hard for everything. He prepares for games like he prepares for war, so I see it in that aspect.”

Warriors’ Bench Sparks Victory Over Suns Amid Dillon Brooks Technical

The Golden State Warriors defended their perfect home record tonight with their 118-107 win over the Phoenix Suns, now sitting at 4 wins in the Bay. The Warriors immediately jumped out to a 25-point lead in the first half, but Phoenix managed to stay competitive, especially when Jimmy Butler exited the game during the second quarter. Golden State ultimately outgunned the Suns, going 19-42 from long range compared the Phoenix’s 12-33, keeping the Warriors ahead despite a late rally.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors in scoring with 28 points on 5 threes, hitting crucial free throws down the stretch (as usual) to slow the Suns’ comeback. Moses Moody dropped in 24 points off the bench, filling in for the injured Butler, while Quinten Post, Buddy Hield, and Brandin Podziemski contributed a combined 39 points. Golden State’s bench also gave them a huge advantage, outscoring the Suns’ reserves by a whopping 63-19.

Dillon Brooks’ key technical foul late in the fourth quarter stalled the Suns‘ push, keeping the Warriors ahead as Curry drilled free throws to maintain control of the game. Despite Devin Booker scoring 38 points, including a third quarter where he made every single shot (5/5 from the field for 17 points), and a double-double from Mark Williams, Phoenix ultimately fell to the Warriors’ combined bench scoring and beyond-the-arc shooting.