By ISABEL BALDWIN, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 23:08 EST, 14 December 2025 | Updated: 23:08 EST, 14 December 2025
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James lost his head in an uncharacteristically heated spat during Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns.
It is rare for the NBA icon to lose his cool while on the court but the Suns' Dillion Brooks seemingly pushed the veteran to the edge as tempers flared in shocking scenes during the clash at Footprint Arena.
Early in the third quarter, James was defending Brooks as the Suns forward drove to the lane and was fouled by James's Lakers teammate Luka Doncic.
Brooks the appeared to lose control of the ball as it went out of play and he swatted it back onto the court in the direction of James.
The ball appeared to hit four-time NBA champion, who didn't take too kindly to Brooks's antics as he unleashed on his opponent.
A livid James was captured exploding into a heated rant at Brooks as he screamed in the Phoenix star's face.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James grabbed a referee in a heated moment on Sunday
The NBA icon was caught screaming in the official's face
The veteran had to be held back by his teammates and head coach JJ Redick
Brooks refused to retaliate and continued to walk away from the NBA's all-time leading points scorer. However, James wasn't deterred as he continued to grow more irate.
He attempted to follow after Brooks before officials and his Lakers teammates swiftly descended on him in attempt to get him to cool down.
However, that wasn't enough to temper the icon's raging emotions as he furiously tried to extract himself from their hold.
James then turned his furious attention to the referees as he began shouting and gesturing at the official, before grabbing his arm and pulling him around.
His teammate Rui Hachimura and Lakers head coach JJ Redick eventually managed to hold back James, who was assessed with a technical foul for his outburst.
Earlier in the game, with 10:36 remaining in the first quarter, Brooks also ran into James and pushed him, with the Suns star assessed a technical foul on the play.
James and Brooks have a rich history of rivalry, which dates back to the latter's days with the Memphis Grizzlies.
James's fury was sparked by Dillon Brooks (left) after he appeared to swat a ball at him
Brooks had taunted James during the 2023 playoffs when the Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies in the first round.
Brooks called James, 38, 'old' and claimed he doesn't respect him after the Grizzlies won Game 2 of the series. In Game 3, he was ejected for hitting James in the groin.
As well as quoting Jay-Z's song 'Trouble' on social media, he also wrote on Instagram: 'If you ever see me fighting in the forest with a Grizzly bear, HELP THE BEAR'.
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