Dillon Brooks had a memorable night on Friday, but not without consequences. The NBA has levied a $25,000 fine against the Phoenix Suns guard for what the league described as a “lewd gesture on the playing court” during a dominant 133-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. This incident occurred as Brooks celebrated after making a challenging off-balance shot in the paint.
This infraction marks the 105th fine of Brooks’ nine-year NBA career, although it is worth noting that most of his fines stem from automatic penalties related to technical fouls.
Despite the controversy surrounding his celebration, Brooks had an outstanding performance, scoring 32 points on an impressive 12-of-18 shooting. His ongoing excellence has played a vital role in the Suns’ surprising start to the season, as they currently boast an 8-5 record. This level of competitiveness is noteworthy, especially considering the team was expected to enter a rebuilding phase following their acquisition of Kevin Durant.
Brooks joined the Suns in the offseason as part of the trade that brought Durant to Phoenix, alongside fellow winger Jalen Green. Both players have faced injury challenges this season, with Brooks dealing with a core muscle strain and Green hampered by a hamstring issue. Nevertheless, in their limited appearances together, the duo has shown promise, averaging a combined total of 35.8 points in their nine games.
As the Suns look to build on their early success, the contributions of Brooks and Green could be integral in shaping the trajectory of the team’s season, transforming their outlook from one of rebuilding to that of a competitive playoff contender.