Another game, another technical foul for Dillon Brooks. It was like that trip to China over the summer meant nothing to the Phoenix Suns' forward. This time it was different, however, as our heroic Canadian international was rushing to help youngster Khaman Maluach evade the clutches of the dastardly villain, Draymond Green.
Brooks jumping in to help teammate is fighting spirit Suns need
We've said it time and time again, the way Brooks plays the game of basketball is a constant balancing act. One that went against him in the recent loss to the Denver Nuggets, as a stray leg gave Jamal Murray something to think about, but he was on the right side in trying to "de-escalate" the situation with Green of the Golden State Warriors.
Dillon Brooks on approaching Draymond Green after Green threw Khaman Maluach to the floor in 3rd quarter of Suns loss to Warriors: "I was just trying to de-escalate the whole thing. Did a lot there. Fell down and pushed him at the end of it. I was just trying to de-escalate it.… pic.twitter.com/8V3EI9WAJa
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 3, 2026
Whether or not Brooks was trying to calm a situation that had quickly gotten out of hand, we will never know. But the Suns, off to a poor 1-4 start and having been dunked on by every opponent they have faced so far, except for the Warriors in the reverse fixture, which they won, needed a spark to keep them in the fight. Maluach, to his credit, was trying to give it to them, battling Green inside fearlessly and using his massive frame to get under the skin of his opponent.
He succeeded in doing so, which prompted Brooks to get involved once his teammate was thrown to the floor. Unfortunately, backing up Maluach like this was not enough to get the Suns over the line, but we are rapidly reaching the point at which Head Coach Jordan Ott has to adopt an "us against the world" attitude. Brooks thrives in that environment, and the coaching staff need to do whatever they can to get this team back on track.
Brooks remains Suns' best hope of breaking early season slump
Devin Booker might be the franchise cornerstone, and the ability of Miles Bridges to gel with his new teammates is critical to the Suns' success. But Brooks is the guy who can be the catalyst for this team to turn their early-season woes around. They started last season a worrying 1-4 as well, but even the biggest Suns fan would have to admit the difference between that group and this one is already stark.
Last time out, the roster was full of guys fighting for their NBA careers, making life difficult for opponents every night. This time around, however, Brooks, Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie have all received new contracts or extensions to return. Brooks is the one who has that competitive fire no matter what his salary is, and he proved it in tangling with Green and backing up Maluach. More of that is needed.
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