Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for using inappropriate language directed at game officials during last Friday’s match. This decision was announced by James Jones, the Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, following the Suns’ narrow 114-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 21.
Brooks had already received a technical foul earlier in the game and ultimately fouled out in the fourth quarter. Known for his fiery demeanor, Brooks has not shied away from displaying his competitive spirit. Noting the interactions between players during the game, he remarked about the other team’s trash talk, saying, “They were talking too early and I love that. When guys get too confident and once the pressure starts heating up, their eyes start getting big, and they start getting scared.” He added that a particularly talkative opponent ended up making crucial mistakes.
Just days prior to this incident, Brooks was fined $25,000 for making a lewd gesture during a matchup against the Indiana Pacers. His vocal criticism continues as he expressed frustration over officiating decisions in a recent loss against the Atlanta Hawks, suggesting that certain calls unfairly impacted the game’s outcome.
Despite the controversies, Brooks has been instrumental in driving the Suns’ strong start to the season, helping the team achieve a record of nine wins in their last 11 games. He is currently averaging 21 points, 3.3 rebounds, and two assists per game, contributing not only through his scoring but also in energizing the team’s defensive strategy—a quality that may often go unnoticed in statistics.
As the Suns prepare to face the San Antonio Spurs tonight, the team’s fans are undoubtedly hopeful that Brooks can continue to harness his intensity and skill to lead Phoenix further in the season.