Dillon Brooks’ Breakout Night Sparks Praise After Suns Upset Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers entered Tuesday night riding a seven-game winning streak and favored to continue that momentum against a Phoenix Suns team that had dropped two straight. Instead, the matchup at Crypto.com Arena produced an unexpected turn, driven largely by the play of Dillon Brooks. With Devin Booker forced out late in the first quarter after hopping off the floor in visible discomfort, Phoenix needed someone to take control.

Brooks answered the call with his most assertive scoring night of the season, pouring in 33 points on an efficient shooting performance that kept the Suns afloat without their leading star. His impact went beyond the box score, providing the defensive edge and vocal presence Phoenix needed to stabilize on both ends.

The Suns rode that energy to a statement win, pushing past a Lakers team that had been one of the league’s hottest squads during the last two weeks. For Brooks, the night served as another reminder that his evolving game is becoming more than a storyline — it’s a key ingredient in the Suns’ early-season trajectory.

The performance also drew attention across the league, including from former All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins, who used the spotlight to deliver some pointed praise for the often-polarizing forward.

1. Brooks’ Big Night

Brooks finished the night shooting 15-for-26 from the field, including a pair of made threes, giving Phoenix a much-needed scoring anchor after Booker’s early exit. His aggression was consistent throughout, hunting midrange looks, attacking mismatches, and maintaining a rhythm the Lakers struggled to counter. While his scoring headlined the night, Brooks also supplied a steal and several key defensive possessions that disrupted the Lakers’ half-court flow. His presence helped keep Phoenix organized defensively, especially during stretches in which Los Angeles tried to accelerate the pace. The Suns have increasingly leaned on Brooks this season, and Tuesday showcased why. With Booker unavailable, Brooks provided both the volume and steadiness Phoenix needed, validating the expanded offensive responsibility he has shouldered since arriving. For a player often discussed more for his intensity than his efficiency, the performance highlighted his growth and composure — elements that have become central to the Suns’ identity as they navigate injuries and rotations.

2. Cousins’ Strong Endorsement

On the “Run It Back” show, DeMarcus Cousins emphasized that Brooks doesn’t receive enough recognition for the intangibles he brings. He pointed to Brooks’ role with the Memphis Grizzlies, calling him “the heartbeat” of their competitive core and crediting him for helping shape Houston’s physical identity last season. Cousins also underscored the defensive commitment Brooks offers nightly. He praised Brooks’ willingness to guard elite scorers and his consistency in embracing high-pressure assignments — qualities Cousins believes are often undervalued in modern player evaluations. In one of the night’s boldest comparisons, Cousins linked Brooks to players such as Marcus Smart, Draymond Green, and Dennis Rodman, citing their shared ability to elevate team toughness and culture. It was a rare public acknowledgment of Brooks’ broader impact beyond scoring. Cousins closed by stressing that players with Brooks’ mentality are essential for teams hoping to make postseason runs, framing him not as a disruptor but as a competitor whose presence enhances winning environments.

3. A Transforming Season

Brooks has taken clear steps forward statistically, averaging 22.3 points per game — a notable leap from last season. His shot attempts have risen in parallel, climbing to 17.7 per game from 11.9 a year ago, reflecting the Suns’ trust in him as a consistent scoring option. Defensively, Brooks has nearly doubled his steals output, up to 1.7 per game. That improvement aligns with his reputation and underscores the two-way growth Phoenix is depending on in meaningful stretches. With Booker as the team’s offensive centerpiece, Brooks has firmly established himself as the Suns’ second scoring pillar. His reliability has been particularly valuable amid injuries and lineup shuffling that have tested Phoenix’s depth. Whether through scoring bursts or tone-setting defense, Brooks has become one of the Suns’ most impactful players. His emergence is giving Phoenix a versatile and dependable presence — and performances like the win over the Lakers only reinforce that trajectory.