Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was honored by his former team ahead of Friday night’s road game against the Houston Rockets.
It was his first game at Toyota Center since the Rockets sent him and Jalen Green to Phoenix as part of the historic seven-team Kevin Durant trade over the summer.
Dillon Brooks Spent Two Seasons With Rockets
Brooks was emotional after the Rockets unveiled the video prior to opening tip.
“Whatever. I’m just expecting a reaction when we win at the end of the game,” Brooks said at shootaround Friday, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
“Feels good, feels like home. A lot of people have said ‘what’s up.’ Friendly cheers. I’m ready to play the game,” continued Brooks, who received a hearty ovation from the crowd at the end of the video.
The Rockets pay tribute to Dillon Brooks in his first return to Houston 🤘🚀 pic.twitter.com/ML81FjySBe
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) December 6, 2025
During the 2023 offseason, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Brooks to Houston. He spent two seasons with the Rockets, averaging 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 31.4 minutes per game in 147 outings.
Brooks, 29, led the Suns in scoring with 23 points in Friday night’s 117-98 loss to Houston. Despite missing all four 3-point attempts, he finished 10-of-24 (41.7%) shooting from the field and 3-for-4 (75%) from the foul line.
Through 17 games (all starts) this season, Brooks is averaging career highs of 22.3 points and 1.6 steals to go with 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 31.4 minutes per contest.
The 6-foot-7 wing is also shooting a career-best 45.9% from the field and 31% from deep.
Kevin Durant Reaches 31,000 Career Points
Friday’s matchup was also Durant’s first game against his former team since the offseason trade. Durant missed Houston’s 114-92 win at Phoenix on Nov. 24 for personal reasons.
Durant had 28 points to become the eighth player in NBA history to score 31,000 career points.
The future Hall of Famer made two free throws for his first points of the night and drilled a jumper midway through the first quarter to reach the historic milestone.
Durant, who didn’t play in the fourth quarter, has 31,024 career points.
The Suns visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, while the Rockets are on the road versus the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.
