The Athletic has reside protection of the 2026 NBA Play in Tournament.
PHOENIX — Dillon Brooks doesn’t shy from controversy or a problem. That’s why the Phoenix Suns ahead had a clear desire on which staff he needed to face subsequent in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament: The Golden State Warriors.
And his reasoning was simple.
“Steph and Draymond,” Brooks stated after Thursday’s apply. “And Steve Kerr.”
Behind Steph Curry and Draymond Green, the Warriors defeated the LA Clippers on Wednesday night time to advance to Friday’s elimination contest towards Phoenix. The Suns have stewed since losing Tuesday night’s Play-In contest against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Friday’s winner in downtown Phoenix secures the Western Conference’s eighth seed and can face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the primary spherical of the playoffs. The loser goes dwelling.
“We know what’s at stake,” Suns ahead Royce O’Neale stated.
Brooks’ Golden State desire is not any shock. He has historical past with Curry, Green and even Kerr, the Warriors’ long-time coach. That historical past fuels his aggressive drive.
In December, Brooks closed out to contest a late Curry 3-point try from the nook. While doing so, he struck the Golden State star in the midsection, incomes a flagrant foul from the officers and harsh phrases from the Warriors.
Curry known as Brooks’ actions “bush league.” Kerr later stated Brooks has a observe file of such performs, mentioning a hard foul on Gary Payton Jr. throughout the 2022 playoffs that resulted in a fractured elbow. Brooks performed for Memphis on the time. While the Payton foul was excessive, his strategies nonetheless spark controversy.
Brooks lives to get contained in the heads of opponents. Before a latest recreation, the Suns’ social-media staff requested gamers who they’d most like to play in a dream 1-on-1 matchup. Most Suns gamers picked retired superstars. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady.
Always the villain, Brooks stated LeBron James. His NBA nemesis.
At Thursday’s apply, Brooks made it clear he has nice respect for Curry, calling the Warriors’ star among the finest to ever do it and one who has confirmed his greatness time and time once more.
Wednesday’s win towards the Clippers supplied the most recent instance. In a must-win contest, Curry scored 27 of his 35 factors in the second half, serving to the Warriors erase a late 13-point deficit. The 38-year-old Golden State celebrity was taking part in in simply his fifth contest since lacking 27 video games with knee points. At occasions, it was troublesome to inform.
“He looked like the same Steph Curry,” Suns coach Jordan Ott stated Thursday. “You can guard him however many minutes you think you’re guarding him, then all of a sudden the explosion happens.”
Preventing the Curry explosion can be Phoenix’s best job. Brooks might not defend Curry solely — guard Jordan Goodwin will probably contribute as nicely — however that is the kind of problem he craves.
“I know we’re going to be ready to play,” Brooks stated.
