Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks didn’t mince words on his third-quarter interaction with LeBron James during the Suns’ 125-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Brooks resumed his trash-talking with the four-time NBA champion as the Suns snapped the Lakers’ seven-game winning streak.
Beyond leading the team with 33 points (15-of-26), Brooks tried to win the psychological game against James. Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported that James approached the Suns bench during a timeout and directed some words at Brooks.
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The former Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets player addressed the interaction in the locker room, explaining that he’s not a fan of being friendly with his opponents.
“I’m a competitor, man. I don’t really like the smiling, the giggling and all that,” Brooks said. “Just letting him know I’m here and I’m still rising.”
Brooks added that James likes it when people are nice to him, but he is a different competitor.
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“He likes people that bow down. I don’t bow down. That either entices him or it aggravates him, either or.”
"I'm a competitor man. I don't really like the smiling, the giggling and all that. Just letting him know I'm here and I'm still rising."
Dillon Brooks on his interaction with LeBron James in Suns 125-108 win over Lakers.
"He likes people that bow down. I don't bow down. That… pic.twitter.com/7saE1Qg8qt
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 2, 2025
The night was busy for both Brooks and James. The Suns’ forward celebrated several scores with exaggerated gestures, with some mimicking James’. After extending his team’s lead to 64-52, the player did James’ shoulder shrug in front of the 40-year-old.
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James wouldn’t stay quiet and troll his nemesis after Brooks failed to score on Bronny James late in the fourth quarter.
The history between Brooks and James dates back to the former’s time with the Grizzlies. He made it his mission to get under James’ skin in the 2023 playoffs, even calling the four-time MVP “old.” A lot of water has gone under the bridge since that moment, but Brooks’ feelings toward James haven’t changed a bit.
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