Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns expressed his frustration with officiating following a narrow loss to the Atlanta Hawks on November 16, 2025. The Suns fell 124-122 during a highly contested game at the Mortgage Matchup Center, attended by 17,071 fans. Brooks received a technical foul late in the fourth quarter, a call that he strongly disputed.
Dillon Brooks Critiques Officiating After Loss
With 6:52 remaining in the game, referee Justin Van Duyne issued a technical foul against Brooks. This occurred after Hawks player Zaccharie Risacher fell awkwardly while attempting a dunk, leading to a stoppage in play. At that moment, the Suns were leading 107-94, having held a significant advantage earlier in the match.
Controversial Technical Foul
- Dillon Brooks criticized the timing of the play stoppage while the Suns were transitioning to offense.
- He argued that the referees were emotionally biased and failed to make necessary calls, including a potential foul against teammate Devin Booker.
- Brooks stated, “I saw us playing seven against five,” highlighting his perception of unequal officiating.
Brooks called for a reassessment of officiating standards and raised concerns over the emotional involvement of referees in the game. He stated, “The ref should be fined for making mistakes like that,” pointing out that missed calls significantly affected the game’s outcome.
Game Context and Reaction
The Suns initially dominated, leading by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter before losing their advantage. Atlanta’s comeback marked their fifth consecutive victory, now improving their road record to 7-2.
Booker supported Brooks’ claims, expressing disbelief at the referees’ decisions. “We can’t have that disruption during a transition play,” he commented, emphasizing the need for consistent officiating.
Previous Fine and Ongoing Issues
This criticism follows a $25,000 fine that Brooks received for a previous incident involving a lewd gesture during a game. Despite these fines, his focus remains on the quality of officiating and its impact on the game.
As the Suns look to bounce back from this defeat, Brooks’ comments shine a light on the ongoing discussions regarding officiating standards in the NBA. His call for accountability reflects a broader concern among players regarding the integrity of the game.
