Dillon Brooks to return Tuesday vs. Magic

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks is set to return Tuesday against the Orlando Magic.

Suns coach Jordan Ott said both Brooks and Mark Williams were able to play five-on-five over the weekend and on Monday, which is normally the final step before returning.

Brooks suffered a broken hand in the Suns’ Feb 21 double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic and has missed 18 straight games.

Now, he’s set to return against the same team he last played against. The Suns have gone 9-9 in Brooks’ absence.

Brooks has played in 50 games this season. He is averaging a career-high 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.

While Brooks has been sidelined by injury, he’s had some off-court issues, including being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence earlier this month.

As Brooks returns to the Suns’ lineup, gaining continuity will be the biggest thing to watch in Phoenix’s final eight games of the regular season.

Jalen Green said on Saturday that he’s not worried about the amount of time it will take to gel because Brooks is an energy player and the basketball finds energy.

However, Ott said it’s not ideal to have fewer than 10 games to get everybody in sync playing together, but that’s out of the Suns’ control.

Phoenix has three games left on its road trip before returning home for two games and finishing the regular season with two road games.

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