The Phoenix Suns will be without one of their top scorers for the next month after Shams Charania reported Monday that guard Dillon Brooks suffered a broken left hand.
Charania added that Brooks is expected to miss four to six weeks pending further evaluation by doctors.
His absence comes at a critical time in the schedule for the Suns, who are 33-25 and seventh in the Western Conference standings.
Phoenix is already struggling with several injuries. Devin Booker has been sidelined with a hip injury, while Grayson Allen and Jordan Goodwin have also missed time.
Brooks’ injury further reduces the perimeter rotation that is responsible for a significant portion of the team’s shot creation and distance.
The impact was evident Sunday night in a 92-77 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Phoenix shot 36.9% from the field and went 9-for-35 from beyond the arc for a season-low 77 points.
The Suns struggled to generate paint pressure and consistent half-court offense. They committed 19 turnovers and were forced into contested perimeter attempts late in the clock.
With Brooks and Booker unavailable, Collin Gillespie led the team with 18 points, while Jalen Green added 13.
Brooks’ absence has consequences for both sides. He provides physical ball defense on the wing and absorbs high-touch possessions that lighten the load on Booker.
The Suns host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, followed by a period that includes games against the Lakers and several Western Conference contenders.
A recovery period of four to six weeks would potentially sideline Brooks until late March or early April, depending on healing and conditioning.
With the conference sitting tight in fourth through ten positions, continued offensive dips could impact seeding and home court positioning.
Phoenix remains in the playoffs, but the margin for error is shrinking without one of its key scorers and defensive tone setters.
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