Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was reportedly arrested for DUI in Scottsdale the morning of March 6.
“We are aware of the situation involving Dillon Brooks and are gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time,” the Suns organization relayed to Arizona’s Family after reports surfaced of his arrest.
The development marks a new low for what has otherwise been an expectation-shattering season for the Suns.
Brooks has earned widespread praise from teammates, Suns legends, and others in NBA circles for helping to turn around a Suns franchise that finished 10 games under .500 and missed the playoffs a season ago. But the arrest — which occurs while Brooks is out with a broken left hand — puts a stain on what has otherwise been a stellar debut season in The Valley.
Things are going south quickly in Phoenix
At the time of his injury, Brooks was averaging a career-high 20.9 points per game on a career-best 44% shooting from the field across 50 games (all starts).
Phoenix’s season now runs the risk of coming unglued.
Mark Williams, the Suns' starting center, will reportedly be re-evaluated in two-to-three weeks after suffering a stress reaction in his left foot.
That means the Suns are now down two starters, with impactful bench player Jordan Goodwin still sidelined as he recovers from a calf injury.
Phoenix is just 4-6 over its past 10 games. They’re 5-7 when Brooks doesn’t play and 2-4 when Williams has sat out.
Now, even more pressure will be placed on rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming to fill in during the absence of those key contributors.
The Suns remain firmly entrenched in the Western Conference playoff picture as the No. 7 seed at the time of writing, but this coming stretch without Brooks and Williams will be the biggest test yet for first-year head coach Jordan Ott.