LeBron James and Dillon Brooks Set for Another Heated Meeting in Phoenix
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The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns square off Tuesday in Phoenix, bringing LeBron James and Dillon Brooks back to center stage of a rivalry that has produced memorable confrontations, sharp words and high-stakes performances since 2021.
Early Sparks
Tension surfaced in 2021 when James celebrated a basket against Brooks with the “too small” gesture. Competitive friction escalated two years later during the 2023 first-round playoff series between the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooks’ former team.
2023 Playoff Flashpoint
Before that series, Brooks said he “wouldn’t mind” facing James in a seven-game showdown, adding that he “pokes bears.” After verbal exchanges in Game 2, Brooks called James “old” and dared him to score 40 points. Laker fans booed Brooks relentlessly once the series shifted to Los Angeles, and James responded on Instagram after clinching the series in six games, writing, “If you ever see me fighting in the forest with a Grizzly bear, HELP THE BEAR.” James outscored Brooks 84-36 following the taunt, while Brooks averaged 10.5 points on 31.2% shooting.
January 2024 Collision
The first two meetings of the 2023-24 regular season were largely calm until Jan. 29, 2024, when Brooks was assessed a flagrant 1 for knocking James to the floor during a rebound battle. Asked afterward about Brooks, James replied, “Next question.”
December 2025: Two Games, Two Flashpoints
The rivalry reignited this month with back-to-back matchups:
- Dec. — Lakers 116, Suns 114: James scored 26 and hit two late free throws. The night featured a mid-court bump that sent Brooks to the floor, a skirmish after Brooks swatted a dead ball into James, and Brooks’ ejection for chest-to-chest contact. Three days later, Brooks labeled James a “social media junkie.”
- Dec. — Suns 125, Lakers 108: Brooks poured in 33 points, stared down James after a fast-break dunk and mimicked the four-time MVP’s shoulder shrug. James lingered near Phoenix’s bench during a timeout and later flashed a thumbs-down when Brooks traveled while backing down Bronny James.
Current Form
Brooks, in the first season of a four-year, $80 million contract signed in the 2024 offseason, is averaging a career-best 21.7 points along with 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists for Phoenix. James, now in Year 23, is logging 20.2 points, 7.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds but has appeared in only 11 games.
Tipoff on Tuesday marks their third encounter of the season, and, given recent history, another round of on-court theatrics appears likely.
Source: ESPN
