Dillon Brooks Named Western Conference Player of the Week - And It’s About More Than Just the Numbers
PHOENIX - Dillon Brooks has always played with an edge. This week, the NBA officially recognized that edge - and everything that comes with it - by naming the Phoenix Suns forward the Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
And no, this wasn’t just about buckets. Though to be clear, Brooks delivered plenty of those too.
Over the past week, Brooks averaged 28.8 points on a blistering 53.5% from the field, including a red-hot 54.3% from deep. He added 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a steal per game - and capped it all off with a career-high 40-point performance on the same night the Suns handed out “Dillon the Villain” t-shirts at the arena. That’s called leaning into the moment.
But what truly sets Brooks apart - and what likely pushed him over the top for this award - is what doesn’t always show up in the box score. His impact starts before the ball is even inbounded.
He sets a tone. He gets under opponents’ skin.
He forces stars to think twice about attacking. And in a league that often rewards offensive fireworks, Brooks is a reminder that defense, grit, and emotional edge still matter.
Since arriving in Phoenix, Brooks has brought a different kind of presence to the Suns' rotation. Opposing wings are rushing decisions when he’s in the vicinity.
Star scorers are actively trying to switch away from him. And Phoenix’s defensive rating with Brooks on the floor?
Noticeably better than when he sits.
During his award-winning stretch, the Suns didn’t just win games - they won possessions. They forced turnovers, limited second-chance opportunities, and controlled the pace. That’s Brooks' fingerprint all over the floor.
For Suns fans, this recognition is bigger than one hot week. It’s validation that the team’s identity is shifting - and Brooks is at the center of that shift.
He’s not just filling a role; he’s elevating the standard. His intensity has become contagious, bridging the gap between the team’s top-tier talent and the kind of playoff-ready mentality that wins in May and June.
Nationally, the award marks a bit of a narrative turn for Brooks. Long viewed as a defensive agitator and emotional spark plug - sometimes for better, sometimes for worse - he’s now being acknowledged for the discipline and leadership he brings.
He’s not just a disruptor anymore. He’s a difference-maker.
And for the Suns, that evolution couldn’t come at a better time. This Player of the Week honor isn’t a finish line for Brooks - it’s a checkpoint in a larger process. One that speaks to where Phoenix is headed: not just chasing wins, but building winning habits.
And Brooks? He’s right at the heart of it.