Dillon Brooks Gets Brutally Honest After Suns’ Humiliating 49-Point NBA Cup Blowout Loss to Thunder
The Phoenix Suns have defied expectations for much of the season, posting a 14–10 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. But their run came to a crashing halt against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as Phoenix suffered the largest loss in franchise history.
Although the Suns were without star guard Devin Booker, a setback that clearly impacted their performance, the team still fell far short of its standards. Dillon Brooks didn’t mince words afterward, expressing frustration with himself for not giving everything he had.
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Dillon Brooks Disappointed With His Effort In Blowout NBA Cup Loss
Brooks has emerged as one of the Suns’ most reliable performers to start the 2025–26 NBA season. Through 18 games, the forward is averaging 21.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 44.3% from the field, 30.9% from three, and 82.5% from the line.
But in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooks felt he came up short. He scored 16 points in 26 minutes, yet his frustration stemmed more from his approach than the stat line.
“I played kind of soft today. I should’ve been mixing it up more instead of Grayson (Allen). They called two quick ones (in 1st quarter). That was weak. I got to be better for my teammates,” Brooks said, per Duane Rankin of AZ Central.
“I played kind of soft today. I should’ve been mixing it up more instead of Grayson (Allen). They called two quick ones (in 1st quarter). That was weak. I got to be better for my teammates.”
Dillon Brooks after Suns 138-89 loss at OKC. Grayson Allen was ejected after a flagrant… pic.twitter.com/yMYBBtu8ez
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 11, 2025
The Suns simply couldn’t keep pace with the defending NBA champions. Phoenix was overwhelmed in every aspect, both mentally and physically, punctuated by Grayson Allen’s ejection on a flagrant 2 foul against Chet Holmgren.
Phoenix has thrived this season by pushing the tempo and applying pressure defensively, but the Thunder, which boasts the best defensive rating in the league, executed those same strengths at a far higher level. Phoenix committed 21 turnovers, leading to 34 Oklahoma City points.
OKC dominated across the board. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another MVP-caliber performance with 28 points, Chet Holmgren added 24 while imposing his will on both ends, Jalen Williams chipped in 15, and Luguentz Dort anchored elite perimeter defense. The result: a historic 49-point rout, the worst loss in Suns history.
No Phoenix player managed to score 20, with Brooks leading the team with just 16 on a night where nothing went right. Allen, Jordan Goodwin, and Jamaree Bouyea were the only other players to post in double digits.
As Oklahoma City advances to the NBA Cup semifinals, the Suns will look to regroup when they return home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
