Inside The Rockets

Dillon Brooks is Rockets' Unsung Hero

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Jeremy Brener

Feb 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) warms up before playing against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Feb 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) warms up before playing against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks often gets lost in the fray when people name the most impactful players on the team.

Sure, Brooks isn't part of the team's draft pick haul over the first half of this decade, but his addition to the team has been a crucial one, especially in his second year with the team.

Brooks, who turned 29 last month, is averaging 13.6 points per game while shooting over 38 percent from beyond the arc. That number is about three percentage points higher than last year, which has made a major difference in the long run.

Brooks has some playoff experience during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, and that could come into play as the Rockets go down the stretch this season.

Houston is fighting for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and Brooks knows what that feels like. In his last two seasons with the Grizzlies, the team finished second in the Western Conference playoff picture. Ironically enough, the year he leaves, Memphis dwindles back into the lottery.

While the Grizzlies are back in the mix in the West, so too are the Rockets, who need Brooks' experience and 3-point shooting to keep Houston in the running for as long as possible.

The Rockets are back in action tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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