Dillon Brooks has brought plenty of fire to the Phoenix Suns this season - and for the most part, that’s been a good thing. He’s been the emotional spark plug, the guy who brings edge, energy, and a little bit of chaos to a team that needed exactly that. But as we saw in the Suns’ recent loss to the Golden State Warriors, that same fire can sometimes burn a little too hot.
Let’s rewind to the start of this mini-series with Golden State. Brooks came in already charged up, still riding the high from a physical win over the Warriors just days prior.
He’d tangled with Stephen Curry in that one, and it was clear from the opening tip that he was still carrying that energy into the rematch. That’s who Brooks is - he doesn’t just show up to play; he shows up to battle.
But there’s a fine line between intensity and overreach, and Brooks crossed it a few times in this one. The most glaring moment came just before halftime.
With the Suns up 67-60, Brooks fouled De’Anthony Melton on a three-point attempt as the buzzer sounded. It was a questionable decision at best - Melton’s shot wasn’t high percentage, and the foul gave the Warriors free points and a momentum swing they didn’t waste.
Golden State went on to win by three.
That foul wasn’t the only flashpoint. Earlier, Jimmy Butler threw the ball at Brooks, triggering a heated exchange that had Brooks jawing at the officials. And while Draymond Green eventually got himself ejected - a moment that drew a smirk from Brooks - it was clear the emotional temperature of the game was skyrocketing, and Brooks was in the middle of it.
To his credit, Brooks played well. He dropped 22 points and was efficient across the board.
In fact, outside of Devin Booker’s 38-point explosion, Brooks was arguably the Suns’ most impactful player on the floor. He kept them in it when others - like Collin Gillespie, who struggled - couldn’t find their rhythm.
But the pattern is becoming familiar. Ever since his high-profile dust-up with LeBron James earlier in the season, Brooks has been riding an emotional wave that sometimes spills over. Butler got under his skin early in this one, and while Brooks channeled it into production for stretches, there were also moments where it clearly hurt the team.
And here’s the thing: the Suns seem okay with that trade-off. They knew what they were getting when they brought Brooks in.
He’s not a choir boy. He’s not going to back down.
He’s going to push the line - and sometimes cross it. But that edge is part of what’s made him one of the most impactful offseason additions in the league.
Still, it’s something Phoenix will have to manage. Opponents know Brooks is combustible.
They’ll bait him, test him, try to make him beat himself. And while the Suns don’t want to dull his edge, they also can’t afford to let that edge cost them games - especially close ones like this.
Dillon Brooks is who he is. That’s both the blessing and the risk. And as the Suns continue their surprising run this season, they’ll need him to keep bringing the fire - just without letting it burn the house down.