Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks is dealing with trouble off the court after being arrested early Friday morning in Arizona.
According to TMZ, Brooks was taken into custody around 2 a.m. in Scottsdale on suspicion of driving under the influence. The 30-year-old Canadian forward was reportedly “respectful and cooperative” with officers during the encounter and was released roughly 80 minutes later.
The arrest comes while Brooks is already sidelined with a fractured hand he suffered during the Suns’ February 21 win over the Orlando Magic. The injury is expected to keep him out for four to six weeks, leaving Phoenix without one of its most productive players during a tight Western Conference playoff race.
Before the injury, Brooks was putting together the strongest offensive season of his career. The veteran forward has been averaging a career-high 20.9 points along with 3.7 rebounds per game, helping Phoenix remain in postseason contention. The Suns entered Friday with a 35–27 record and sitting seventh in the Western Conference standings.
Brooks has built a reputation across the league as a relentless competitor who isn’t afraid to talk trash or get under opponents’ skin. The physical forward has previously played key roles for the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets before joining Phoenix.
“You see on the court, it might not be ‘professional’ because I talk a lot of s**t,” Brooks told ESPN earlier this season. “I run my mouth. I’m yelling. I’m yelling to the crowd, blah, blah, blah. But that’s just in the game. That’s my persona.”
Phoenix has gone 2–2 during Brooks’ absence, including a narrow 105–103 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. The team has not yet publicly commented on the arrest.
