Phoenix Suns star Dillon Brooks is set to miss Saturday's matchup against the Orlando Magic due to a left hand injury. This setback occurred just seven minutes into the game when Brooks' jumper was contested by Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., leading to immediate discomfort in his left hand. Brooks exited the court with 4:46 remaining in the first quarter and headed straight to the locker room.
At the start of the second half, Phoenix confirmed Brooks would not return. Ryan Dunn stepped in for Brooks in the third quarter. Brooks wrapped up his night with five points and three rebounds, shooting 2-for-7 from the field and 1-for-3 from beyond the arc.
This injury comes on the heels of Brooks' return from a one-game suspension after accruing his 16th technical foul of the season. He missed Thursday's 121-94 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs due to the suspension.
Brooks' absence is a significant blow for the Suns. Acquired in the offseason as part of a major seven-team trade involving Kevin Durant heading to the Houston Rockets, Brooks has been a reliable presence for Phoenix. He's averaging a career-high 21.2 points per game on 44.1% shooting, with a 34.3% mark from three-point range.
With Devin Booker, the Suns' leading scorer at 24.7 ppg, also sidelined for at least a week with a right hip strain, Phoenix faces a challenging period. The team will need contributions from players like Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, and Jordan Goodwin to maintain their position in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
Currently, the Suns hold the seventh spot in the West with a 32-24 record. They are navigating a two-game losing streak and have split their last 10 games. Next up, they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, rounding out a back-to-back series.