Dillon Brooks is usually the one who sets the energy for the team but on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA Cup quarterfinals, he thinks he failed to do that.
Phoenix Suns, who were without star Devin Booker, suffered a 49-point beat down from the hands of the Thunder, ending their NBA Cup campaign. They came to the game with some sort of psychological advantage as they have been the kind of team that end many Western Conference playoff contenders’ win streak.
There was no sign at all that they can beat the Thunder after they fell to a 15-point deficit in the first quarter. They surrendered all quarters to double digit leads until the final whistle.
Brooks said their energy was off and he thought it started with him.
“I played kind of soft today. I should’ve been mixing it up more instead of Grayson (Allen). They called two quick ones (in 1st quarter). That was weak. I got to be better for my teammates.”
Dillon Brooks after Suns 138-89 loss at OKC. Grayson Allen was ejected after a flagrant… pic.twitter.com/yMYBBtu8ez
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 11, 2025
Dillon Brooks says Grayson Allen’s ejection is weak
One way others made up for Brooks aggressiveness is when Allen decided to bump Chet Holmgren in the fourth quarter, leading to an ejection. The game was already away from Suns’ at this point.
Game officials were quick to throw out Allen, who like Brooks has a reputation of being extra physical. For the latter, he thought that was a weak call.
“Got to play harder. That isn’t a representation of us as an organization, as a team, coaching staff, players. That ain’t us.”
Dillon Brooks after 138-89 loss to OKC to mark largest margin of defeat ever for Phoenix Suns.
On Grayson Allen’s flagrant 2: “I think everyone says in… pic.twitter.com/4B3iNIpZp5
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 11, 2025
OKC will face the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals of NBA Cup after they beat the Los Angeles Lakers despite not having Victor Wembanyama.
As for the 14-11 Suns, they are set to have a full week without a game before facing the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, December 18.
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