PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are poised to welcome Dillon Brooks back to the lineup Tuesday night when they face the Orlando Magic, marking his return after an 18-game absence due to a broken left hand. The forward suffered the injury during the Suns’ double-overtime win against the Magic on February 21st, and his return offers a significant boost as Phoenix navigates the final stretch of the regular season.
Brooks’ injury occurred in a hard-fought contest against Orlando, requiring surgery and sidelining him for over a month. The Suns went 9-9 during his absence, highlighting the impact of his presence on both ends of the court. His return to action comes against the same opponent and in the same arena where the injury took place, adding a layer of narrative to Tuesday’s matchup.
Before the injury, Brooks was enjoying a career year, averaging 20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field. His defensive intensity and energetic play have been sorely missed by the Suns, who are currently seventh in the Western Conference standings. The team is looking to solidify its position and avoid the play-in tournament, holding a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers and trailing the Houston Rockets by 3.5 games.
Suns coach Jordan Ott indicated that both Brooks and Mark Williams were able to participate in full five-on-five scrimmages over the weekend and on Monday, a key indicator of their readiness to return to game action. While the Suns coach has not confirmed whether Brooks will face any minutes restrictions, his conditioning appears to be excellent, according to reports. The team will likely ease him back into the rotation to minimize the risk of re-injury.
The timing of Brooks’ return is particularly crucial for Phoenix, as they aim to build chemistry with Jalen Green, who has also recently returned from a hamstring injury. Having both players available provides the Suns with increased offensive firepower and defensive versatility. Green expressed confidence that he and Brooks will quickly locate their rhythm, noting Brooks’ energetic style of play.
Beyond Brooks, the Suns are also expected to have Grayson Allen available for Tuesday’s game. Allen sat out the first half of Monday’s 131-105 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a back-to-back set. Phoenix’s offense was led by Devin Booker, who scored 36 points, and Jalen Green, who added 21. The Suns dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Grizzlies 40-16, securing a winning season in the process.
The Orlando Magic, coming off a franchise-record 139-87 loss to the Toronto Raptors, will be looking to rebound against the Suns. Team president Jeff Weltman was in attendance during Monday’s defeat, leading to speculation about the future of head coach Jamahl Mosley, but the team has publicly stated Mosley will remain in his position through the end of the season. Franz Wagner and Anthony Black lead the Magic, who currently hold the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, narrowly ahead of the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.
The Suns’ acquisition of Brooks and Green in a trade with the Houston Rockets last June was intended to bolster their championship aspirations. While injuries have hampered their ability to gel as a unit, the return of both players provides a significant lift as they push for a favorable playoff seeding. The team faces a challenging schedule down the stretch, with three games remaining on their current road trip before returning home for two games and finishing the season with two more road contests.
Tuesday’s game against the Magic is scheduled for 10:00 PM EST (02:00 UTC Wednesday). Fans can follow the game on local broadcasts and through NBA League Pass. The Suns will be looking to capitalize on the momentum from their recent win over Memphis and welcome Brooks back with a victory on their home court.
The return of Dillon Brooks represents a pivotal moment for the Phoenix Suns as they navigate the final weeks of the NBA regular season. His impact on both ends of the floor, combined with the re-emergence of Jalen Green, could prove to be the key to unlocking the team’s full potential and making a deep playoff run.
