Brooks drops 33 as Suns cool Lakers, rekindling LeBron rivalry
brooks-drops-33-as-suns-cool-lakers-rekindling-lebron-rivalry
Dillon Brooks scored 33 points and reignited his long-running feud with LeBron James as the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-108 on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.
The forward, who became a Hollywood villain during the 2023 playoffs, shot 15-for-26, poured in 23 points before halftime and taunted James and the crowd throughout the game. Phoenix improved to 13-9, while the Lakers saw their seven-game winning streak end and slipped to 15-5.
Brooks, 29, mimicked several of James’ trademark celebrations, glared at the 40-year-old star after a second-quarter transition dunk and exchanged words with courtside fans. “I’m a competitor,” Brooks said. “I don’t bow down.”
James, who finished with 10 points, briefly approached the Suns bench late in the third quarter to jaw with Brooks. After Brooks was called for traveling while posting up Bronny James late in the fourth, television cameras caught LeBron giving a thumbs-down gesture from the bench.
Brooks’ outburst helped Phoenix overcome the loss of Devin Booker, who left after 10 minutes with a strained right groin. Point guard Collin Gillespie added a career-best 28 points, earning more praise — and the nickname “Villain Jr.” — from Brooks.
“He’s the tone-setter for us,” first-year head coach Jordan Ott said. “When Dillon brings that energy, we follow.”
Brooks has averaged a career-high 22.3 points this season. Monday, he hit 10 of 11 shots during one stretch and repeatedly interacted with fans who urged him to keep shooting. The Suns led by 14 at halftime and never trailed in the second half.
James’ 10-point night nudged his NBA-record streak of consecutive regular-season games in double figures to 1,297. Booker’s status will be reevaluated Tuesday, the team said.
Source: ESPN
