Dillon Brooks Brings the Fire Early, Suns Lean on His Edge Against Warriors
PHOENIX - Dillon Brooks has never been one to shy away from the spotlight - and against the Golden State Warriors, he didn’t wait long to remind everyone why he’s the emotional engine of this Phoenix Suns squad.
Right from the opening tip, Brooks brought his signature edge and intensity. After Golden State’s Quinten Post knocked down a three to get things rolling, Brooks answered immediately with a triple of his own. That exchange set the tone for a back-and-forth first quarter where Brooks was clearly the focal point of Phoenix’s offense.
By the end of the opening frame, the Suns trailed 29-26 - but Brooks had already poured in 13 of those 26 points, including three makes from deep. He was hunting his shot early, and more importantly, hitting it.
Head coach Jordan Ott has been clear about what Brooks brings to the table - not just in terms of scoring, but in experience and toughness, especially against a battle-tested team like the Warriors.
“They’re going against teams that have been through the fire,” Ott said before the game. “[Brooks] obviously has the history of playoff series with these guys. So just his knowledge and IQ of who the Warriors are… We love having him out there.”
That playoff familiarity matters. Brooks has seen this Warriors core up close in high-stakes moments, and that veteran savvy showed in how he approached the game - calm under pressure, aggressive when needed, and always vocal on both ends of the floor.
The second quarter played out like a chess match, with both teams trading punches but neither landing a knockout blow. Midway through the period, Golden State started to assert control again, regaining the lead and keeping Phoenix at bay through halftime.
Still, Brooks stayed hot. He closed the half with 20 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc, continuing to be the Suns’ most reliable offensive weapon through two quarters. His early burst - including 13 points in the first six minutes - kept Phoenix within striking distance, even as the rest of the roster struggled to find rhythm.
At halftime, the Suns trailed 53-46. For Phoenix to turn things around in the second half, they’ll need more help around Brooks - because while he’s doing the heavy lifting, it’s going to take a full-team effort to outlast a Warriors team that knows exactly how to close games.
But if Brooks keeps playing like this - fearless, locked in, and hitting from deep - the Suns have a fighting chance. And with the “Villain” leading the charge, they’re not backing down from anyone.