The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, winning Game 4 with a score of 131-122. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed respect to Dillon Brooks after the series concluded.
Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) greets Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) after advancing in a four game sweep of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
As soon as the final buzzer sounded, Dillon Brooks finally dropped the act. The Oklahoma City Thunder had completed a Round 1 sweep over the Phoenix Suns. Now that their playoff series was over, he went one-by-one to congratulate the reigning NBA champions.
The Thunder had a 131-122 Game 4 win over the Suns. Brooks went down with the ship as he had 23 points and four rebounds. He was Phoenix's best player throughout the four-game series — that includes two 30-point outings sandwiched between.
It was fun to see Brooks antagonize the Thunder for over a week. But the galaxy-sized talent gap was too much to overcome. The Thunder won the first three matchups by double-digit points. They were in full control of the fourth to take care of business against the eighth seed.
Afterward, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander couldn't help but smile about Brooks' play. Even when he tried to gimmick his way to being an OKC villain, both guys have spent too much time together over the years to let it get under his skin. From their high school days to being teammates on Team Canada.
The final score of Game 4 was 131-122 in favor of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dillon Brooks was the best player for the Suns, scoring 23 points in Game 4 and having two 30-point games during the series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's gesture of congratulating Dillon Brooks signifies mutual respect between players after a competitive playoff series.
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"It was just great respect. Obviously, knowing Dillon, he's a great competitor and great guy," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "No matter what people say about him, he's a really good guy. You get to know him. All that villain stuff doesn't faze me. I know exactly who Dillon is. He had a helluva series. Keep getting better. I'm proud of him."
It's been quite a season for Brooks. He's carved out the absolute best-case scenario for his NBA journey. He enjoyed a career year as a first-time 20-point scorer on a rejuvenated Suns squad. Getting swept by the Thunder shouldn't really dampen that. Now, Phoenix enters the offseason with momentum. Something you couldn't have said a year ago.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows Dillon Brooks love after OKC swept Suns