The Phoenix Suns have exited the All-Star break with one clear goal in mind, to prove everybody wrong and make it to the playoffs.
At 32-23 they find themselves seventh in the Western Conference and posted a positive update ahead of their next game, a meeting with the San Antonio Spurs.
Their injury report was mercifully void of any names, meaning Jalen Green, Grayson Allen and even Isaiah Livers are available for the Suns.
Dillon Brooks to miss matchup versus San Antonio through suspension
Yet despite reporting a clean bill of health, the Suns are still going to be without one of their best players as Dillon Brooks will miss the game through suspension.
The 30-year-old having picked up his 16th technical of the season in the loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to the All-Star break.
Gregory has had multiple conversations with Dillon Brooks about his technical fouls.
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) February 18, 2026
The #VillainMentality has become who the #Suns are. https://t.co/d8N9SS35yA pic.twitter.com/TV1IBrQQMR
While the Suns could surely do with Brooks out there against a team they have already managed to beat this season despite being one of the best in the conference, the timing on this actually works.
They now have a pair of players in Green and Allen who can be inserted into the starting lineup, while Livers can actually take some of the minutes Brooks would usually see.
Allen has plenty of experience being the third best player on this team, going as far back as when Bradley Beal was in town and on the treatment table.
Green is supposed to be the co-star next to Booker anyway, and although Brooks has filled in admirably this season, General Manager Brian Gregory clearly has big fans for his preferred backcourt.
The Suns also had success in defeating the Spurs by putting both Allen and Royce O'Neale on him to try and slow it down, and it is a game plan they will likely turn to again.
Livers is among the most underrated guys in The Valley, with his bigger and more physical body type closer to that of Brooks anyway.
He's nowhere near the same level of offensive threat, but that's what the return of Green and Allen are for. With upcoming games against the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers, Brooks returning for those games should help Phoenix continue their winning ways.
The fact Brooks got 16 technicals at all is clearly an issue, although his reputation clearly precedes him. But if ever there was a time to lose him, it is now.