Dillon Brooks Calls Out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: "A Lot of Foul Baiters"
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors on Friday, earning a spot as the Western Conference's eighth seed. The Suns are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in the first round, with the game tipping off on Sunday. Ahead of the first-round series, Suns Forward Dillon Brooks spoke to the media, taking shots at his opponent.
Dillon Brooks on the Thunder:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 18, 2026
"There are a lot of foul baiters on that team. We gotta show our hands. I hope it's the real playoffs. Show your hands"
pic.twitter.com/dFRrtn1fNz
Gilgeous-Alexander has drawn a lot of criticism for his play style, with many calling him a "foul-baiter" for his high rate of free throws. Brooks echoed this sentiment, while not naming Gilgeous-Alexander directly. Brooks threw shade at the Thunder, indicating that the Suns need to be careful, saying they need to show their hands to avoid racking up fouls. Brooks is confident in his team's abilities, predicting a win on Sunday.
"We're going to go out there and steal Game 1," Brooks told NBA on Prime Video.
Foul-baiting could be a big concern for Brooks, who is known for his aggression and tenacity in his playstyle. Brooks averaged 3.3 fouls per game during the 2025-26 season, which is the fourth highest of any player this season. On top of his personal fouls, Brooks led the league in technical fouls, racking up 17 for the year. Despite the foul numbers, Brooks is having a career year, averaging over 20 points for the first time in his nine-year career.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM.