Dillon Brooks
Getty
Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns.
Dillon Brooks has never been known for his scoring. If anything, fans know him as a physical defender who tends to go over the line. However, the Phoenix Suns forward just scored a career-high 40 points in their last game, as they beat the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons, 114-96.
This scoring outburst may have come as a surprise to many, but not Brooks. After the game, Brooks spoke to the media about his offensive growth.He said, “I knew after the series with Golden State that I wanted to be more of a scorer. More of an option.”
Last season, Brooks was on the Houston Rockets, who lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. In that seven-game series, Brooks averaged 12.3 points, only slightly below his season average of 14 points per game.
Hayden Cilley
I asked Dillon Brooks what sparked the change in his offensive game from last season to now.
“I knew after the (first-round) series with Golden State, that I wanted to be more of a scorer. More of an option. So, the whole summer I was working on things and then when the trade
Then, in the offseason, Brooks was traded to the Suns. In hindsight, that might have been perfect for Brooks’s offensive evolution. When speaking with the media, Brooks added, “So, the whole summer I was working on things, and then when the trade happened, that was an opportunity for me to be a well-rounded scorer and more opportunity to leave my mark on the team.”
So far in 2025-26, Brooks has fully capitalized on his opportunities. He is averaging 21 points per game, and if that holds, it will be Brooks’s new career high, while aHall of Fame player is making an All-Star push for him.
Deeper Look Into Dillon Brooks Offensive Improvements
Dillon Brooks
GettyDillon Brooks alone in the backcourt with the ball.
So far, this will be Brooks’ best offensive season of his career. His current career-high in points per game is 18.4, set in 2021-22 while on the Memphis Grizzlies. But there is one glaring issue with that season, he shot 30.9% from behind the arc on 4.7 attempts.
Brooks’s shooting from behind the three-point line has significantly improved since then. In his previoustwo seasons on the Rockets, Brooks shot 38% from three, but on only 5.7 attempts. While this season there is a slight drop off in efficiency, the volume has increased. Brooks is shooting 35.2% from three, but taking seven a game. In the win over the Pistons, Brooks hit four of seven threes.
The increased volume has been the biggest reason for Brooks’ solid season. While on the Rockets, Brooks’ role was to play defense and shoot threes. While in Houston, Brooks averaged 31.4 minutes, attempting 11.3 field goals, 5.7 of which were 3s. That has changed in Phoenix. Brooks is taking 17.2 field goals per game, seven from deep.
Part of Brooks’ opportunities have come from necessity. Devin Booker is the team’s leading scorer, at 25.4 points per game. Outside of Brooks, Grayson Allen is the only other player scoring over 15 points per game (16.6). Furthermore, Jalen Green, whom the Suns acquired along with Brooks, has played only four games. When healthy, Green is a great scorer, averaging 20.1 points in his first four seasons in the NBA.
Opportunity has played a massive role in Brooks offensive success. When Brooks scored 40 points,Booker was out with an ankle injury. Booker has actually missed the last three games, whileBrooks has scored 26 points twice before having 40. However, Green could be back in the Suns’ next game, as he isno longer on the injury report. That may take some chances from Brooks, but he has clearly established himself offensively.
Is Brooks Going to be an All-Star
Dillon Brooks
GettyDillon Brooks with the ball driving in the paint.
Making the All-Star Game, especially in the West, is always a challenge. However, Brooks is definitely a name worth considering. Brooks is a significant reason the Suns are seventh in the West right now, after missing the playoffs last season, making an impact on both ends of the court.
Hater Report
Collin Gillespie after Dillon Brooks dropped 40:
“We have two All Stars on our team. This man’s an All Star. Get your phones out, start voting”
THE VOTING IS ALREADY OVER 🤣💀
Brooks’ play has led to a last-minute push to make him an All-Star. After Brooks scored 40 points, his teammate Collin Gillespie interrupted his post-game interview to say, “We have two All Stars on our team.” Brooks’ teammates aren’t the only people in the NBA saying this,Charles Barkley has named him an All-Star.
However, this may be too late. The All-Star reserves are going to be announced on February 1st, two days after Brooks scored 40 points. Even though it might be too late, Brooks is still having a great season, with the Suns set up to have a clear path to the playoffs.