Dillon Brooks Seemingly Escalates Suns-Warriors Rivalry

The Phoenix Suns have built up several intense rivalries over the nearly 60 seasons of their existence - including the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and more. 

The one rivalry that may surpass the rest in the coming years is none other than the Golden State Warriors, as the two organizations have become intense competitors over the course of the 2020's decade. 

Phoenix forward Dillon Brooks seemingly doused gasoline on the level of contention between the two franchises this week when revealing that Jimmy Butler would be the one player in the NBA that he would choose to box if given the opportunity - citing brewing animosity that he senses when the two square off.

The history between the two franchises is there - as mentioned above - as they were both contenders in the early parts of the decade while also playing one another four times per season. The contention has arose on multiple occasions since, including when Draymond Green struck former Suns center Jusuf Nurkic in the face in a December 2023 contest and when Phoenix edged the Warriors out to earn a playoff spot in April.

The scope of the rivalry has potential to expand to even higher levels in the season ahead, as the Suns and Warriors are both expected to compete with the Los Angeles Lakers for the Pacific division crown, while several other layers exist in the sphere of intensity as well.

The fact that Phoenix and Golden State are both jockeying for the future while not being active contenders makes the upcoming matchups all the more vital - which will naturally add more intensity to the table. The youth movement that each franchise is leaning on - from Yaxel Lendeborg to Koa Peat - is angling the rivalry to extend beyond the current iteration. 

Over the next season, however, tensions between the fanbases, Brooks' expressed disdain for Butler, the constant comparison between Devin Booker and Stephen Curry - as well as Green's unpredictable antics - are all contributing factors to this being the matchup to watch within the division over the 82-game campaign that is to come.

Expect the dates that the two are slated to take on one another to become official when the NBA schedule releases in mid-August - until then the anticipation will be generated through means such as the pointed words that Brooks had for the rivals.