PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of DUI, The Athletic has confirmed.
Per Scottsdale Police, Brooks was stopped for traffic violations just south of Thunderbird Road on Scottsdale Road around 1 a.m. After an investigation, Brooks was arrested at 1:33 a.m. for suspicion of driving under the influence. He was transported to the Scottsdale City Jail for booking and released around 3:30 a.m.
The city prosecutor’s office will determine charges.
“We are aware of the situation involving Dillon Brooks and are gathering more information,” Stacey Mitch, the Suns’ senior vice president of communications, said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”
TMZ was first to report the news.
Brooks attended Friday night’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans but did not talk to reporters. After the Suns’ 118-116 win, guard Collin Gillespie said as soon as he saw Brooks, he checked on him to make sure he was OK. Brooks said he was.
“Obviously, we woke up to (the news) this morning,” Gillespie said. “Just hate to see it for him, but we’re all human. We’re not above anybody else. We all make mistakes. He knows that. He owned it. He apologized to the team. We got his back. … We’re just happy that he’s OK and nobody else was hurt.”
The Suns lost to the Chicago Bulls 105-103 on Thursday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Brooks, out with a fractured left hand, watched from the bench in street clothes.
Brooks, 30, is in his ninth NBA season, his first with the Suns. He was a key piece in the summer blockbuster trade with the Houston Rockets for Kevin Durant. For most of the season, he has been a major factor in Phoenix’s success, providing a defensive edge and toughness the Suns had previously lacked.
In 50 games, Brooks has averaged 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds. He broke his left hand in the first half of a Feb. 21 game against the Orlando Magic. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated later this month.
Entering Friday night’s home game against New Orleans, the Suns are 35-27 and in seventh place in the Western Conference.