LeBron James, Dillon Brooks, Suns, Lakers
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on December 01, 2025 in Los Angeles,
It’s no secret that LeBron James and Dillon Brooks dislike each other, with the two players exchanging several heated confrontations over the years. The latest chapter in their rivalry unfolded Monday when Brooks, almost singlehandedly, guided the Phoenix Suns to a 125-108 blowout win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brooks, who led all Suns with 33 points, taunted both James and his son, Bronny James, several times during Monday’s game. He also mimicked some of James’ iconic celebrations to get under the veteran Lakers star’s skin. For instance, in the second quarter, he stared down James after a transition dunk and did an exaggerated shoulder shrug — not once, but twice — prompting boos from Lakers fans.
James seemed to let Brooks get under his skin. During a timeout late in the third quarter, James uncharacteristically barked at Brooks, who took immense satisfaction from the turn of events, as he often enjoys portraying the role of the villain.
And finally, Brooks backed down Bronny James late in the fourth quarter, only to be called for a travel while attempting a turnaround jumper. LeBron James, who was on the bench, taunted Dillon Brooks with a thumbs-down gesture.
Bleacher Report
Bron gave Dillon Brooks the thumbs down after not scoring on Bronny 😅👎
Dillon Brooks Agitates Lakers
After Monday’s win, Brooks spoke candidly about trash-talking James throughout the contest, which included mocking the Lakers star with his own celebrations.
“I love playing in this arena,” Brooks said, via ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “They show me a lot of love in here, and I reciprocate it back.
“I’m a competitor, man. I don’t really like the smiling and the giggling and all that, so just letting them know that I’m here. And I’m still rising.”
Mark Medina
Suns’ Dillon Brooks on if LeBron James took offense to his trash talk: “Always, always. He likes people who bow down. I don’t bow down.”
Dillon Brooks Won’t ‘Bow Down’
Interestingly, Brooks said he refuses to “bow down” to LeBron James like his peers in the NBA do.
“He likes people that bow down,” said the 29-year-old. “I don’t bow down. So, that either entices him or it aggravates him — either-or.”
Brooks, who arrived in Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant trade, has played a vital role in the Suns’ 13-9 start. His head coach, Jordan Ott, heaped praise on his competite fire.
“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Ott said of Brooks, via ESPN.
“He’s talked a lot about coming back into this building. He had a tough playoffs a couple of years ago. This means something different to him. We feel that as a group. This means something different to him, so we obviously follow his lead.”
Brooks had to take on the role of the primary scoring option on Monday after All-Star guard Devin Booker sustained a groin injury in the first quarter.
“They wanted me to keep shooting, so I kept shooting,” said Brooks, who shot 15-of-26 from the floor to finish with a season-high 33 points.
Brooks is averaging a career-high 22.3 points in his first season with the Suns.