Dillon Brooks is going to try harder if he wants to get under Kevin Durant’s skin.
The two faced off anew on Tuesday, as Brooks’ Phoenix Suns hosted Durant and the Houston Rockets at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz. True to his brand, Brooks went at it with the future Basketball Hall of Famer.
The two exchanged words during a Rockets possession in the second quarter, with Durant ultimately letting his actions speak for him. After getting the ball out on the perimeter, Durant made a swift move to his right that caught Brooks off guard.
The Suns forward stumbled to the floor not once, but twice, as Durant found an open spot and knocked down a jumper.
Here’s a video of that play.
Kevin Durant & Dillon Brooks were exchanging words before KD put the moves on him🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 8, 2026
What a matchup. 🍿
pic.twitter.com/XaGMOyX64q https://t.co/Lh6XUDNqXk
Durant downplayed the notion that Brooks motivates him on the court.
“He don’t get that type of credit with me. Maybe some other guys that may turn up cause he talk to them, but he’s not that important, especially with me to get me going,” the former NBA Most Valuable Player said of Brooks after the Rockets’ 119-105 win, via Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
The 16-time NBA All-Star said he respects Brooks, but made it clear his antics had little impact on the way he conducts his business.
“I wake up going and ready to play, but I respect Dillon. I respect what he brings to the game. I think that gets him going more than me. I just happened to get that ball right afterwards and make a good move, but it wasn’t in spite of Dillon and I wanted to show him up.
He’s not that much of a concern to me, but I respect how he approaches the game and what he does. And that’s valuable to him and that makes him a better player, but for me, it has nothing to do with my game.”
What Durant said about Brooks likely will not affect him either, as he’s established himself as one of the Association’s top agitators.
Durant finished the game with 24 points on 8/20 shooting to go along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Brooks scored just 10 points on a salty 3/12 shooting.
