Dillon Brooks and the Golden State Warriors have a history - and it’s not exactly friendly. From his days with the Memphis Grizzlies to his stint with the Houston Rockets, Brooks has never shied away from mixing it up with the Warriors. Now, as a member of the Phoenix Suns, that rivalry is still very much alive - and Thursday night in Phoenix was the latest chapter.
With the Suns holding onto a slim five-point lead in the final minutes, Brooks found himself in the middle of the action once again - and not in a good way. As Steph Curry rose up for a jumper, Brooks was whistled for a foul that quickly turned controversial.
On review, it showed Brooks striking Curry in the midsection well after the shot had left his hands. The officials didn’t hesitate, upgrading the call to a flagrant one.
That moment cracked the door open for a potential Warriors comeback. Curry stepped to the line and calmly knocked down both free throws. Then Jimmy Butler - yes, Jimmy Butler - delivered a clutch three-pointer to tie the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
But despite the late push, Phoenix held strong. The Suns managed to close it out, escaping with a gritty 99-98 win in a game that had all the intensity of a playoff matchup - fitting, considering the recent postseason history between Brooks and Golden State.
Curry, for his part, had a tough shooting night. He finished with 15 points on just 3-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-9 from beyond the arc.
But even on an off night, he found ways to impact the game, pulling down nine rebounds and handing out seven assists in 33 minutes. That’s the kind of all-around impact that keeps the Warriors in games, even when the shots aren’t falling.
As for Brooks, the flagrant foul added another layer to his already heated rivalry with Golden State. His physical style and willingness to toe - and sometimes cross - the line have made him a lightning rod in these matchups. And you can bet the Warriors haven’t forgotten.
The two teams won’t have to wait long for the next round. They’ll meet again Saturday night at Chase Center in San Francisco - and given the recent fireworks, that rematch is shaping up to be must-watch basketball.