Dillon Brooks is enjoying a career year with the Phoenix Suns in the 2025–26 season, but he has not shed the “villain” persona that has defined much of his career. After serving a one-game suspension in February for accumulating his 16th technical foul, Brooks is once again on the verge of another.
On Sunday, during a road matchup against the Chicago Bulls, Brooks picked up his 18th technical foul of the season following an on-court exchange with Mac McClung. The officials issued double technicals with 7:24 remaining in regulation.
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The incident came in just his third game back after missing over a month with a left-hand fracture. Despite the altercation, Brooks contributed 15 points and four rebounds to help Phoenix secure a 120–110 win, though another suspension now appears likely.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Dillon Brooks reacts during the second half of the game at Mortgage Matchup Center.Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
(Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images)
Under NBA rules, a player is automatically suspended for one game without pay after receiving 16 technical fouls in a season. Brooks reached that threshold earlier and served his suspension. The rules also stipulate an additional one-game suspension for every two technical fouls beyond that mark.
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With his 17th technical foul coming earlier in the week against the Orlando Magic and his 18th on Sunday, Brooks is expected to receive another one-game suspension, barring a rescission. If upheld, he would miss the Suns’ upcoming matchup against the Houston Rockets.
The suspension would cost Brooks $121,403, or 1/174th of his $21,124,110 salary, along with an additional $5,000 fine under league rules.
Brooks joined Phoenix as part of the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade, and while expectations were tempered, he and Devin Booker have kept the team firmly in the playoff race. With Sunday’s win, the Suns improved to 43–35, holding the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
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Individually, Brooks is putting together the best season of his career, averaging 20.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 34.7% from three. Booker, who led Phoenix with 30 points on Sunday, is averaging 25.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
While another one-game suspension may not significantly impact Phoenix, given its cushion over the Portland Trail Blazers, who are 40-38 for the season, both Brooks and Booker will be crucial to the team’s postseason aspirations.
Related: Phoenix Suns Issue Statement After Dillon Brooks Situation Emerges
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.