Dillon Brooks Upgraded to Questionable: Suns Forward Eyes Saturday Comeback vs Clippers

The Phoenix Suns’ roller-coaster start to the 2025-26 NBA season has taken another turn, as fiery forward Dillon Brooks finds himself balancing a bizarre off-court technical foul with an on-court injury comeback. Brooks was whistled for a technical while sitting in street clothes during last week’s 116-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors, an incident that drew widespread scrutiny and led to a public apology from the veteran defender. While the league declined to issue further discipline, the Suns still await Brooks’ physical return. The 29-year-old has missed six straight contests with a core muscle strain suffered Oct. 25 against Utah. Wednesday’s official injury report upgraded him to “questionable” for Saturday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, sparking optimism that Phoenix will soon recover its primary perimeter stopper. Before the setback, Brooks averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals on 43 percent shooting, numbers that only hint at his real value: relentless wing defense and emotional edge. Head coach and teammates alike credit Brooks for lifting the team’s 10th-ranked defensive rating when he’s on the floor, a critical complement to the high-octane scoring of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Phoenix has sputtered to a 5-6 record without him, surrendering 118.3 points per game as opponents attack the mid-range pockets he usually plugs. In Brooks’ absence, reserve Josh Okogie has logged a career-high 29.4 minutes but struggled with foul trouble, underscoring the urgency of Brooks’ return. Saturday’s contest in Los Angeles begins a pivotal five-game Western Conference swing that also features dates with the surging Timberwolves and defending champion Mavericks. If Brooks clears pre-game tests, the Suns will regain a vocal floor general just as the schedule intensifies. Fantasy managers and Suns fans alike should monitor the morning shootaround report: Phoenix plans to limit Brooks to 22-25 minutes in his first appearance, with full clearance expected by mid-November barring setbacks. Should the recovery stay on track, look for Brooks to reclaim his starting role, restore Phoenix’s defensive identity and—if recent history is any guide—add plenty of headline-worthy moments along the way.