Suns forward Dillon Brooks poured in 33 points and spent much of Monday night jawing with LeBron James as Phoenix rolled past the Lakers in Los Angeles. The performance was one point shy of Brooks’ season high and came nearly three years after his notorious playoff dust-up with James while he was with Memphis.
“I love playing in this arena,” Brooks said postgame. “They show me a lot of love in here, and I reciprocate it back.”
Phoenix controlled the contest despite losing Devin Booker to a right groin injury early in the game. Point guard Collin Gillespie supplied a career-best 28 points, and Brooks’ relentless energy drew praise from teammates. “He’s the tone-setter for us,” Gillespie noted. “He’s fearless. Doesn’t back down from anybody.”
Williams Faces Team That Rescinded Trade
Center Mark Williams, acquired by the Suns after the Lakers voided a February trade for what the club labeled a failed physical, admitted he felt “a little extra motivation” facing Los Angeles. “I’m kind of past it now,” said Williams, who averages 12.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 25.4 minutes through 18 games. The former Duke standout will enter restricted free agency in 2026.
Hachimura Held Scoreless
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, who had reached double figures in 14 of his first 18 outings, finished Monday’s defeat without a point, missing his only field-goal attempt and grabbing one rebound in 23 minutes. “I don’t remember when I had the ball this whole game,” the 27-year-old said, adding that the team wins when “we’ve been passing to each other, we’ve been trusting each other.”
Sacramento’s Sabonis Progressing
Kings center Domantas Sabonis remains at least a couple of weeks from returning after a partial left meniscus tear but has joined the club on its current three-game trip. Sacramento said the Lithuanian big man is not yet practicing, consistent with the original timeline. Sabonis has been linked to trade speculation amid the team’s slow start.
Source: Hoops Rumors
