'I'm going to iso Shai,' Dillon Brooks unveils plans ahead of Thunder-Suns Game 2

The Phoenix Suns received a bold, characteristic declaration from Dillon Brooks ahead of their critical Game 2 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The veteran forward fully intends to target MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in isolation.

The development adds a fascinating layer of internal friction to the series, as it directly contradicts the primary adjustment Phoenix wants to make. Following a brutal 119-84 blowout loss in Game 1, Suns head coach Jordan Ott made it clear that reverting to isolation basketball is a recipe for disaster against Oklahoma City’s swarming defense.

Phoenix committed 19 turnovers in the series opener, directly gifting the Thunder 34 points. To have any chance of evening the series, ball movement is non-negotiable.

According to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Brooks completely agrees with his coach’s assessment of avoiding isolation basketball with one massive, Canadian-sized exception. Brooks told reporters that whenever he finds Gilgeous-Alexander guarding him, the playbook goes out the window, and he plans to attack his international teammate one-on-one.

1. The Strategy Behind the Stubbornness

“I think it is [a point of emphasis], but I’m going to iso Shai when I get a chance to,” Brooks said with a smile following a recent practice. “He’s a good defender overall, but I just like the matchup. Team Canada, we’ve been going at it for a while. I won’t forget our 1-on-1s that we had in Paris. You can ask him who got the best of who.”

2. A Heavy Offensive Burden

Brooks is taking on the role of an offensive battering ram for a Suns team desperately searching for answers. In Game 1, Phoenix was severely outgunned. The Suns shot an abysmal 34.9% from the floor and trailed by as many as 39 points. Knowing his team needed a spark, Brooks led Phoenix with 22 shot attempts, making six of them to finish with 18 points. It was an inefficient performance, but a necessary one for a roster that couldn’t figure out how to penetrate the Thunder’s league-best defense. Phoenix teammates like Collin Gillespie have openly echoed Coach Ott’s sentiments, noting that the Thunder play “on a string” defensively and move as one cohesive unit. Trying to beat them with hero ball usually ends with a forced jumper or a live-ball turnover. Yet, the Suns are in a position where they need their backcourt—Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Brooks—to simply get hot. If taking Gilgeous-Alexander off the dribble accomplishes that while simultaneously wearing down the Thunder superstar, it might be a gamble worth taking.

3. Mind Games and Matchups

The tactical approach to Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t the only subplot Brooks is bringing to this series. The famously antagonistic forward was also spotted playing mind games before the opening tip of Game 1, specifically with Thunder center Chet Holmgren. During pregame warmups, Brooks blatantly refused to hand the basketball back to Holmgren, disrupting the big man’s routine. When asked about the viral moment, Brooks leaned into his reputation. “I just got a routine for what I do at the beginning of the game,” Brooks told Thunder Wire. “I didn’t want to ruin that… One time in this season, I gave the ball to the guy and regretted it. I didn’t want to do it this time.” The antics didn’t slow the Thunder in Game 1, as Holmgren finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Game 2 tips off at Paycom Center, and all eyes will be on the first time Brooks catches the ball with Gilgeous-Alexander standing between him and the basket. If Brooks’ isolation strategy works, he could successfully fatigue the Thunder’s best player and inject some much-needed chaotic energy into a stagnant Phoenix offense. If it backfires, he risks playing right into the teeth of an Oklahoma City defense that thrives on stopping isolated scorers. This could send the Suns back to the desert in a devastating 2-0 hole.

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