The bonus was unlikely earlier in the season, given Phoenix’s challenging 2024-25 campaign and the Suns’ offseason decision to trade Kevin Durant. Still, Brooks’ steady two-way play helped the Suns secure a berth and position themselves for a test against a rested Thunder squad.
Brooks arrived in Phoenix last year as part of the Durant deal and has emerged as a dependable contributor on both ends. He posted a career-high 20.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game as the Suns finished the regular season 45-37, seventh in the Western Conference.
This marks a rebound for Brooks after a playoff run with the Rockets last season that ended in the first round against the Warriors. This year, he played a key role in eliminating Golden State in the play-in to set up a first-round series with OKC, led by Canadian teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Brooks sent a pointed message ahead of the series, acknowledging the Thunder’s rough-and-tumble style and calling for a focused approach. “There are a lot of foul baiters on that team. We gotta show our hands. I hope it’s the real playoffs. Show your hands,” he said, underscoring the emphasis on physicality and discipline in a matchup expected to test Phoenix’s resolve.
The Suns and Thunder split their five regular-season meetings, with Phoenix showing it can contend with the league’s top seed. Oklahoma City holds home-court advantage in the series, reflecting its status as the West’s best team across the regular season. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, followed by Game 2 on April 22, and Games 3 and 4 in Phoenix on April 25 and 27, respectively.
