Chet Holmgren speaks out on Dillon Brooks’ pregame antics

Even before Game 1 tipped off between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the NBA playoffs, there was already some fireworks as there is sure to be when Dillon Brooks is involved. Dillon Brooks refused to give the ball up to Chet Holmgren before tip-off, and the officials eventually had to get involved between the Thunder big man and the Suns guard.

Following the Thunder’s Game 1 win against the Suns, Chet Holmgren was honest when asked about Dillon Brooks’ pregame antics,

“I mean I wouldn’t hand him the ball either,” Holmgren said. “I didn’t take it personal. He has his persona that he plays. I think he wanted to give it to his guy first but I still got my touch before the game started so it’s all good.”

Holmgren was simply trying to go through his normal pregame routine where he feels the game ball before the opening tip. And it appeared as if Brooks was just trying to let his teammate Devin Booker do the same thing. But the antics didn’t stop with that incident.

During the first quarter of Game 1, Brooks was whistled for a flagrant foul against Holmgren for hitting him in the face. The foul was originally ruled a common foul, but upon official review, it was upgraded to a flagrant one foul. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see what other shenanigans occur.

But antics aside, Brooks has been one of the most important players for the Suns this season. He appeared in 56 games in his first season in Phoenix, averaging a career-high 20.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.5 percent from the field, 34.4 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 84.2 percent from the free-throw line.

He finished Game 1 with 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

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