Suns' Brooks Seeks Revenge on Warriors After 2025 Playoff Loss

Phoenix forward admits he's been motivated to beat Golden State since their Game 7 matchup two years ago.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, with the players and court fragmented into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The intense rivalry between the Suns and Warriors is set to reach new heights as the teams clash in a high-stakes playoff matchup.Phoenix Today

After losing to the Portland Trail Blazers in the Play-In Tournament earlier this week, the Phoenix Suns needed to bounce back. They were playing against the Golden State Warriors on Friday in a do-or-die game, and Suns forward Dillon Brooks admitted he's been motivated to beat the Warriors ever since their Game 7 matchup in the 2025 playoffs.

Why it matters

The Suns-Warriors rivalry has been one of the most intense in the NBA over the past few seasons, with the two teams battling for Western Conference supremacy. Brooks' comments add extra drama and personal stakes to their latest playoff clash.

The details

Dillon Brooks revealed that he's been eager to get another shot at the Warriors ever since Phoenix lost to them in a hard-fought Game 7 series in the 2025 playoffs. The Suns forward said he's been using that defeat as motivation, wanting to prove his team can beat the defending champions.

  • The Suns and Warriors faced off in the 2025 NBA playoffs, with Golden State winning the series in a decisive Game 7.
  • The Suns lost to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week in the 2026 Play-In Tournament.

The players

Dillon Brooks

A forward for the Phoenix Suns who has been a key part of the team's rise to contender status in recent years.

Golden State Warriors

The defending NBA champions, who have been one of the league's premier franchises for the past decade.

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What they’re saying

“I wanted to beat the Warriors since Game 7 in 2025. That's been my motivation ever since.”

— Dillon Brooks, Suns Forward

What’s next

The Suns and Warriors will face off in a high-stakes playoff matchup, with the winner advancing to the next round and the loser's season coming to an end.

The takeaway

The Suns-Warriors rivalry has become one of the NBA's most compelling, with the two teams battling for Western Conference supremacy and players like Dillon Brooks carrying personal vendettas from past playoff defeats. Their latest clash will have major implications for both franchises' championship aspirations.