Dillon Brooks weighed in Saturday on Kevin Durant’s social media spat with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia over the Houston Rockets star’s time in Phoenix. In an Instagram story, the Suns forward thanked Ishbia for changing the team’s culture but stopped just short of mentioning Durant by name.
Brooks’ message added another layer to the exchange, drawing mixed reactions from NBA fans.
NBA Fans React to Dillon Brooks’ Message Amid Kevin Durant-Mat Ishbia Feud
The exchange started with a recent CNBC Sport interview in which Ishbia said he had “thrown money at the problem” during his early efforts to build the Suns, including the 2023 trade for Durant. He also named Brooks first when discussing the kind of players Phoenix wants now.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP pushed back on X Saturday, tweeting: “#BlameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this “culture” you love so much. Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn.
Ishbia responded that he hadn’t blamed Durant and was pleased with the direction the Suns are heading.
Brooks soon joined the back-and-forth on Instagram.
“Thanks Matt for cleaning up that stench in the locker room before I came #culture,” Brooks wrote.
Hoop Central shared the message on X, where fans discussed the Suns enforcer’s apparent jab at Durant.
“The Slim Reaper vs. The Villain,” one fan commented.
Another simply called Brooks “a troll.”
“Nah, the rest of the league gotta up their game. No one is in the same realm of rage-baiting as Brooks,” one reaction read.
“Perfect response,” another fan wrote.
Some were already anticipating the next meeting between Phoenix and Houston. “That first Suns vs. Rockets game is about to be a good one,” one fan remarked.
Another predicted a big night for the 16-time All-Star: “He definitely got 40 on his head coming.”
Brooks arrived in Phoenix as part of the seven-team trade that sent Durant to Houston in July 2025. The deal also brought Jalen Green and No. 10 pick Khaman Maluach to the Suns.
Phoenix finished 36-46 in Durant’s final season, missing the playoffs. The team improved to 45-37 in Brooks’ first year under coach Jordan Ott, reaching the playoffs before losing in the first round. He averaged a career-high 20.2 points in his first season with the Suns.
The Rockets star had already expressed frustration with his former team after scoring 26 points, including the game-winner, in Houston’s 100-97 victory over Phoenix on Jan. 5. He said afterward that it felt good to face a team that had scapegoated him for its problems.
Houston also won the teams’ April 7 meeting, 119-105, with Durant scoring 24 points and Brooks finishing with 10 on 3-for-12 shooting.
The Rockets are scheduled to visit Phoenix on Nov. 7 at Mortgage Matchup Center, the first of three meetings between the teams this season.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.