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Dillon Brooks has a simple reason for wanting to face Warriors in NBA Play-In Tournament

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The Athletic
2026/04/17 - 01:29 501 مشاهدة
Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksWhat To Know About The First RoundLatest Power RankingsThe Bucks' Season From HellPlayer Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Postseason Despite his history with the Warriors, Dillon Brooks made it clear that he has great respect for Steph Curry. Christian Petersen / Getty Images Share articlePHOENIX — Dillon Brooks doesn’t shy from controversy or a challenge. That’s why the Phoenix Suns forward had a clear preference on which team he wanted to face next in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament: The Golden State Warriors. “Steph and Draymond,” Brooks said after Thursday’s practice. “And Steve Kerr.” Behind Steph Curry and Draymond Green, the Warriors defeated the LA Clippers on Wednesday night to advance to Friday’s elimination contest against Phoenix. The Suns have stewed since losing Tuesday night’s Play-In contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. Friday’s winner in downtown Phoenix secures the Western Conference’s eighth seed and will face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. The loser goes home. “We know what’s at stake,” Suns forward Royce O’Neale said. Brooks’ Golden State preference is no surprise. He has history with Curry, Green and even Kerr, the Warriors’ long-time coach. That history fuels his competitive drive. In December, Brooks closed out to contest a late Curry 3-point attempt from the corner. While doing so, he struck the Golden State star in the midsection, earning a flagrant foul from the officials and harsh words from the Warriors. Curry called Brooks’ actions “bush league.” Kerr later said Brooks has a track record of such plays, mentioning a hard foul on Gary Payton Jr. during the 2022 playoffs that resulted in a fractured elbow. Brooks played for Memphis at the time. While the Payton foul was extreme, his methods still spark controversy. Brooks lives to get inside the heads of opponents. Before a recent game, the Suns’ social-media team asked players who they’d most like to play in a dream 1-on-1 matchup. Most Suns players picked retired superstars. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady. Always the villain, Brooks said LeBron James. His NBA nemesis. At Thursday’s practice, Brooks made it clear he has great respect for Curry, calling the Warriors’ star one of the best to ever do it and one who has proven his greatness time and time again. Wednesday’s win against the Clippers provided the latest example. In a must-win contest, Curry scored 27 of his 35 points in the second half, helping the Warriors erase a late 13-point deficit. The 38-year-old Golden State superstar was playing in just his fifth contest since missing 27 games with knee issues. At times, it was difficult to tell. “He looked like the same Steph Curry,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said Thursday. “You can guard him however many minutes you think you’re guarding him, then all of a sudden the explosion happens.” Preventing the Curry explosion will be Phoenix’s greatest task. Brooks may not defend Curry exclusively — guard Jordan Goodwin will likely contribute as well — but this is the type of challenge he craves. “I know we’re going to be ready to play,” Brooks said. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Doug Haller is a senior writer based in Arizona. He previously worked 13 years at The Arizona Republic, where he covered three Final Fours and four football national championship games. He is a six-time winner of the Arizona Sportswriter of the Year award. Follow Doug on Twitter @DougHaller
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