Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sees beyond the villainous aura of Dillon Brooks.
After Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns with a 131-122 win on Monday at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player gave Brooks his flowers despite the Suns forward’s image in the league.
“A great guy, no matter what people say about him. He’s a really good guy when you get to know him,” Gilgeous-Alexander said about his Team Canada teammate during the postgame press conference.
“All that villain stuff, it doesn’t faze me. I know exactly who Dillon is. He had a hell of a series. Keep getting better, I’m proud of him,” added Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 31 points on 10/17 shooting in Game 4 of the series.
Shai on Dillon:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 28, 2026
"A great guy no matter what people say about him he's a really good guy when you get to know him. All that villain stuff it doesn't faze me. I know exactly who Dillon is. He had a hell of a series. Keep getting better I'm proud of him" pic.twitter.com/MIlF3jR4Fx
Brooks has built a reputation as a pest in the NBA. He’s mixed it up with several players, including LeBron James. His ways continued in Game 4, where he was slapped with a technical foul after fouling Gilgeous-Alexander and going at it with Thunder big man Isaiah Hartenstein.
But Brooks also stands out for his ability to deliver on offense. Many on-court agitators in the league don’t average 26.0 points per game in a playoff series, which is what Brooks put up against the Thunder.
