The Phoenix Suns have been dealt a significant setback after confirming that forward Dillon Brooks fractured his left hand during Saturday night’s dramatic 113-110 double-overtime victory over the Orlando Magic.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Brooks is expected to miss four to six weeks. The 30-year-old played just seven minutes before clutching his non-shooting hand and heading to the locker room. The team confirmed the fracture following the game, while head coach Jordan Ott said Sunday that Brooks was still undergoing additional tests.
“The identity doesn’t change,” Ott said. “Play the same style. Our defense is gonna have to be better, offense is gonna have to be better. … We’re just gonna have to find new ways as things continue to progress.”
Brooks’ absence comes at a particularly tough time for Phoenix. The Suns, one of the league’s surprise teams this season with a 33-24 record, have been hit by a wave of injuries since the All-Star break.
Star guard Devin Booker is sidelined for at least a week with a strained right hip. Booker, averaging 24.7 points, 6.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds across 44 games, recently returned from a seven-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. Guards Grayson Allen (ankle/knee) and Jordan Goodwin (calf) were also unavailable Sunday night against Portland.
Brooks had been enjoying arguably the finest campaign of his NBA career. He is averaging a career-high 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, providing consistent scoring along with his trademark physical defense and intensity. His impact has been especially notable this season after arriving in Phoenix as part of the blockbuster offseason trade that sent 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
The Suns also provided an update on recently signed guard Haywood Highsmith, who continues his recovery from right knee surgery. The team described his progress as “good” and said he will be evaluated again in two to three weeks.
With key contributors sidelined, Phoenix will now be forced to dig deep as it looks to maintain momentum in a tightly contested Western Conference race.
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