Dillon Brooks
Getty
Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns.
The Phoenix Suns absorbed a significant setback Monday, losing one of their most important two-way players at a critical point in the playoff race.
Suns Lose Dillon Brooks for Weeks With Broken Hand
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Suns guard Dillon Brooks is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a broken left hand.
“Return timetable for Suns guard Dillon Brooks after suffering a broken left hand: 4 to 6 weeks,” Charania reported on X.
Brooks sustained the injury during Saturday’s 113–110 double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic, exiting after just seven minutes of action. He finished with five points and three rebounds before being ruled out.
The absence strips Phoenix of its defensive tone-setter — and one of the biggest reasons the Suns have emerged as a surprise postseason threat this season.
Suns Try to Downplay the Blow
First-year head coach Jordan Ott attempted to strike a steady tone Sunday, even as the injury reality set in.
“The identity doesn’t change,” Ott said. “Play the same style. Our defense is going to have to be better, offense is going to have to be better. We’re just going to have to find new ways as things continue to progress.”
That will be easier said than done.
Brooks has been a central figure in Phoenix’s resurgence, providing physical defense, emotional edge and unexpected offensive growth. He entered Saturday averaging 21.2 points and 3.7 rebounds, representing a 6.9-point scoring jump from last season — the sixth-largest increase among qualifying players, per ESPN.
A Key Piece of the Durant Trade Fallout
Brooks arrived in Phoenix last offseason as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
While Durant remains a franchise centerpiece in Houston, Brooks has quietly become indispensable in Phoenix — often guarding the opponent’s best perimeter scorer while shouldering a heavier offensive role than expected.
Now, the Suns must recreate his production by committee, with no obvious replacement for his defensive versatility or physical presence.
Injuries Begin to Mount After All-Star Break
Brooks’ injury is the latest in a growing list of health concerns for Phoenix.
Before Saturday’s game, the Suns announced that All-Star guard Devin Booker would miss at least one week with a right hip strain suffered against the San Antonio Spurs. Booker recently returned from a seven-game absence due to a sprained right ankle and has played just 44 games this season.
Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 6.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds, but his availability has been inconsistent — a troubling trend as the postseason approaches.
Suns Still in the Fight — For Now
Despite the injuries, Phoenix remains firmly in the playoff mix at 33–25, buoyed by a reshaped culture under Ott and a younger supporting core featuring Jalen Green, Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams.
But the margin for error is shrinking quickly.
Phoenix will face its stiffest immediate test Tuesday night against the Boston Celtics, playing without Brooks and potentially Booker.
Jalen Green’s Opportunity Arrives
With Brooks sidelined, the Suns will lean heavily on Green, another key piece from the Durant trade, to absorb offensive responsibility.
Green has endured a frustrating season marred by a lingering hamstring issue, but signs of life have emerged. He scored 26 points with four 3-pointers against San Antonio coming out of the All-Star break, then delivered a dramatic moment Saturday — burying a fading corner three at the buzzer to defeat Orlando.
That shot came despite a brutal shooting night: Green was 5-of-25 before the game-winner.
The volatility defines him.
Green is a gifted athlete who once flashed superstar potential in Houston, but consistency and efficiency have remained elusive. He’s only 24, yet already carries a hefty financial commitment — $33.5 million this season, rising to $36.2 million next year, followed by a $36 million player option.
He is not Brooks defensively. He won’t anchor the perimeter or set the physical tone.
But with Phoenix suddenly short on creators and edge, Green has never had a clearer runway to prove his value — and perhaps reshape how the Durant trade is ultimately judged.
For a Suns team suddenly wounded but still dangerous, the next month may define everything.