Dillon Brooks targets Damian Lillard's injured Achilles in nasty clash

Polarizing NBA agitator Dillon Brooks sparked a heated confrontation with Damian Lillard on Wednesday night.

Brooks appeared to stick his foot near the back of Lillard's left Achilles.

That is the same Achilles Lillard tore in the 2025 playoffs.

The injury sidelined Lillard for the entire 2025-26 season.

The incident happened during the Trail Blazers' 132-119 home win over the Suns.

Lillard got right in Brooks' face after the play.

He voiced his apparent displeasure before a referee broke up the mini fracas.

The scene unfolded in the third quarter.

Brooks stepped out of bounds with the ball while being guarded by Lillard.

The Suns wing hoisted a jumper that did not count.

Lillard stuck his hand up despite the whistle.

Brooks came down with his right leg extended.

It appeared his foot struck the lower part of Lillard's left leg.

That caused Lillard to immediately turn around and start jawing at Brooks.

This season marks Lillard's return to the court after his Achilles tear.

He tore the Achilles while with the Bucks during the 2025 playoffs.

The injury ended a disappointing tenure with the team.

The Bucks chose to move on from Lillard that offseason.

They made the move in one final attempt to build another championship contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Lillard, now 36, returned to the Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million deal.

He did not suit up for the team last year while rehabbing.

While he is no longer the elite player of his earlier 11-year Trail Blazers tenure from 2012 to 2023, the guard is averaging 20.1 points across 29.7 minutes per game.

Those numbers span seven contests.

His production has helped Portland to a surprising 6-1 start.

Lillard tied his season-high with 25 points on Wednesday.

For Brooks, this is yet another chapter that only adds to his reputation as one of the NBA's chief antagonizers.

The incident offers more ammunition to those who consider him a dirty player.

Brooks tallied 10 points but a minus-29 rating in the setback.

This is not the first time Brooks has been at the center of controversy this week.

He was also involved in a heated altercation with Draymond Green during the Warriors' last game against the Suns.

Green defended his decision to throw Suns center Khaman Maluach to the ground, a move that escalated that altercation.

Green explained why he felt the move was necessary before firing back at Brooks.

After Suns center Khaman Maluach bumped into him, Green escalated the physical exchange by wrapping Maluach up and throwing him directly to the ground with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.

Immediately following the throwdown, Green got into a heated altercation with Brooks.

Officials hit both Green and Brooks with matching technical fouls.

That triggered Green's automatic ejection.

Green explained his actions on his podcast, stating that he had to throw down Maluach to maintain respect as the anchor of the defense.

"As a big man and center in this league, if something like that happens, you lose your powers," Green explained.

"A guy will try you over and over again."

"That first play with Maluach, that's happening."

"You must stand on that type of time as a big man because if you don't, your paint will get ran through cause there's no respect after that."

"So that play must happen."

"The one with Maluach, that's has to happen."

"I'll take that."

Green also called out Brooks directly.

"You supposed to be this tough guy," Green said.

"I don't claim to be a tough guy, I just am who I am."

"I don't claim to be some tough guy but you can't come to a man like you're coming and saying the things you're saying and putting your shoulder into his chest."

The NBA has not announced any disciplinary action regarding the Lillard-Brooks incident as of this writing.

League rules prohibit targeting an opponent's known injury.

The competition committee reviews flagrant fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct.

A fine or suspension remains possible.

Brooks has a history of league discipline for on-court incidents.

During his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, he was suspended for a flagrant foul in the 2023 playoffs.

The league classified that foul as unnecessary and excessive contact.

Lillard has not commented publicly on the incident beyond the on-court confrontation.

The Trail Blazers continue their season with momentum.

Portland's 6-1 record puts them near the top of the Western Conference standings.

Lillard's return to form has been a key factor in that success.

The Suns, meanwhile, are navigating a rocky start with a 3-4 record.