Devin Booker reveals Dillon Brooks’ key influence on Phoenix

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker credited Dillon Brooks helping establish the team’s early-season identity after a 127–110 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Speaking to the NBC crew after the win, Booker explained to Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady what Brooks has brought to Phoenix during a period of significant transition for the franchise.

Booker had 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in 29 minutes, shooting 6-for-13 from the field and making all six of his free throw attempts. He emphasized that Brooksov the impact was both immediate and significant.

“You see that throughout his career, wherever he’s been he’s helped the team develop an identity that’s very important — something you could hang your hat on over the course of an 82-game season,” Booker said. “So every night there can be some kind of fight, some kind of argument, but it brings the team together or it can tear the team apart and you can see it in those moments. Our team sticks together as one and it’s been successful for us so far.”

“Everywhere he’s gone, he’s helped the team develop an identity. … Every night there can be some kind of fight, some kind of fight, but it brings the team together or it can tear the team apart.”

Devin Booker on Dillon Brooks.

(via @NBAonNBC)pic.twitter.com/2uGNiSuarz

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 19, 2025

Brooks added 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes while shooting 5-for-11 from the field against Portland. Through nine games in his first season with the Suns, he is averaging a career-high 20.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He shot 45.9% from the floor and 32.4% from three-point range while assuming a prominent role under first-year coach Jordan Ott.

The Suns’ bold reset is paying early dividends, with Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks leading the turnaround

Brooks arrived in Phoenix as part of a seven-team offseason deal that reshaped the organization. The The Suns traded Kevin Durant and acquired Brooks, Jalen GreenKhaman Maluach (No. 10), Rasheer Fleming (No. 31), Kobe Brea (No. 41), Daekwon Plowden and two future second-round picks. The team also bought out Bradley Beal’s contract, allowing him to join the Los Angeles Clippers, signaling a complete reset after finishing 36–46 last season.

Before the trade, Brooks played a central role in the Houston Rockets’ 52–30 campaign a year ago, helping them secure second place in the Western Conference for the first time since the James Harden era. Houston eventually fell to the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the first round, but Brooks’ defensive intensity and presence on the court have been widely cited as key factors in the franchise’s resurgence.

The Suns emerged as one of the league’s early surprises, opening the season 9-6 and entering Tuesday’s game as the seventh seed despite a significant roster change and new coaching staff. Booker and Brooks led a collective effort that emphasized defensive commitment, physical play and improved offensive flow.

Phoenix will begin a three-game homestand against the Minnesota Timberwolves (9–5) on Friday at 9:00 PM ET. The stretch concludes with Kevin Durant’s long-awaited return to the Footprint Center when the Suns host the Houston Rockets (9–3) on Nov. 24 at 9:30 PM ET on the Peacock.