Brooks’ Return to Memphis Comes With Points, Punchlines and a Suns Win

Every Dillon Brooks reunion tends to carry some theater, and his latest trip back to Memphis delivered both on the scoreboard and in the interview room. Facing the franchise that drafted and developed him, Brooks helped lift the Phoenix Suns to a convincing 117–98 win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

The victory moved Phoenix to 22–15 and provided an immediate bounce-back from a heartbreaking, last-second loss to the Houston Rockets two nights earlier — another of Brooks’ former teams. Once again, the outspoken wing found himself at the center of the storyline.

Brooks paced the Suns with 21 points while adding seven rebounds and three assists, supplying energy and edge in a building where he once thrived. His activity on both ends set the tone for a Phoenix group intent on reasserting itself after a frustrating finish earlier in the week.

But as often happens with Brooks, the postgame conversation quickly drifted from the box score to personality, giving fans in Memphis one more reminder of why his tenure with the franchise was anything but dull.

1. A Familiar Face, a Different Jersey

When Brooks was asked about reconnecting with former teammates, including Jaren Jackson Jr., he offered a response that drew immediate laughter across social media. He joked that Jackson had called him ugly, before returning the favor with a grin. The lighthearted exchange underscored the complicated mix of respect, rivalry, and familiarity that followed Brooks back into FedExForum. Though he now wears purple and orange, the connections he built in Memphis remain close to the surface. Jackson led the Grizzlies with 19 points and four rebounds, but the night ultimately belonged to Brooks, who consistently found ways to disrupt Memphis’ rhythm. The scene captured the essence of Brooks’ career arc — equal parts agitator, competitor, and crowd-pleaser — all rolled into one candid moment.

2. From Draft Pick to Defining Presence

Brooks’ journey in Memphis began in 2017 when the Grizzlies selected him 45th overall out of Oregon. What started as a low-risk draft pick evolved into a cornerstone role as the team’s primary wing defender. Over six seasons, Brooks became synonymous with the franchise’s gritty identity, helping Memphis reach the playoffs three straight times and often taking on the league’s toughest perimeter assignments. His exit in 2023, via a trade to Houston, marked the end of an era. After two seasons with the Rockets, Brooks found himself on the move again this past summer, landing in Phoenix as part of a massive seven-team deal centered around Kevin Durant. Now 29, Brooks is in the midst of what many consider a breakout campaign with the Suns, blending defensive edge with timely scoring on a roster built to contend.

3. Suns Surge as Grizzlies Search for Answers

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, continue to search for stability in a season riddled with injuries and inconsistency. Star guard Ja Morant watched from the sideline due to a calf injury, limiting him to just 18 appearances so far this season. Morant was seen chatting with Brooks after the game, another reminder of how many threads still connect the former teammates despite their diverging paths. Phoenix took advantage of a shorthanded Memphis lineup, using Brooks’ early scoring burst to build momentum and never allowing the Grizzlies to seize control. For the Suns, the win represented more than a single road result — it was a reaffirmation of their resilience and a showcase of Brooks’ growing influence within the locker room.