Dillon Brooks Drops 40, Suns Rally Around All-Star Message in Statement Win Over Pistons
PHOENIX - The scoreboard said 114-96, but the numbers only tell part of the story.
Phoenix didn’t just beat the Pistons on Thursday night - they made a statement. And Dillon Brooks delivered it loud and clear, torching Detroit for 40 points in a career-best performance that had the home crowd at Mortgage Matchup Center on its feet.
Brooks was locked in from the jump. He found his rhythm early and never let up, hitting from all three levels, attacking the rim with purpose, and showing off the kind of shot-making that leaves defenders shaking their heads. This wasn’t just a hot hand - it was a full-on takeover.
After the game, Collin Gillespie joined Brooks for the postgame interview and added his own exclamation point.
“Tell everybody, we have two All-Stars on our team,” Gillespie said. “He’s an All-Star. So get your phones out [and] start voting.”
One small snag: All-Star voting closed back on January 14.
Gillespie quickly acknowledged the mix-up on X (formerly Twitter), but he stood by the message.
“Damn voting over? Smh.. they both still all stars 🤷🏻♂️” - @Colling1021, January 30, 2026
The timing may have been off, but the sentiment hit home - and it speaks volumes about what’s brewing in Phoenix.
This is a team that wasn’t supposed to be here. Injuries and low preseason expectations had many writing them off before the season tipped off.
But inside that locker room, the Suns never bought into the rebuild narrative. They’ve been writing their own script - one built on belief, chemistry, and a growing sense that they belong in the playoff conversation.
Brooks’ breakout night was just the latest example. He’s been stepping up all season, and Thursday’s performance was a culmination of that confidence. But what stood out just as much was Gillespie’s postgame support - a genuine, unscripted moment that showed how tight this group has become.
It’s the kind of camaraderie that doesn’t show up in the box score but pays dividends over 82 games. When one guy goes down, someone else steps up.
When someone shines, the rest of the team celebrates him like it’s their own win. That’s culture.
And Phoenix has it.
So while the All-Star ballots are already sealed, the Suns are still making their case - not just for individual recognition, but as a collective force to be reckoned with.
Next up: a Friday night showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., and with the way Phoenix is playing, it’s safe to say the rest of the league should be paying attention.