Dillon Brooks Drops 33, Taunts LeBron as Suns End Lakers’ Streak

Phoenix’s win fueled by Brooks’ scoring and showmanship; Booker exits early with injury.

Dillon Brooks didn’t just lead the Phoenix Suns to a 125-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers—he practically set the court on fire with his 33 points and a flair for the dramatic. Brooks was impossible to ignore, not just for his hot hand but for his antics, too. He even went so far as to mimic LeBron James’ signature celebrations, a move that ruffled more than a few feathers in the crowd—and, judging by LeBron’s expression, on the Lakers’ bench as well.

The bad blood between Brooks and James goes back to the 2023 playoff series, when Brooks was suiting up for the Memphis Grizzlies. Suns coach Jordan Ott pointed out that Brooks came into this game with a chip on his shoulder, shaped by those playoff battles in the very same arena. You could almost hear the echoes of last year’s trash talk bouncing off the rafters.

Brooks’ high-octane energy didn’t just light up the scoreboard—it lit up the Suns’ locker room, too. Collin Gillespie, who poured in 28 points himself, dubbed Brooks “fearless.” Gillespie’s strong showing also ties into ongoing discussion about Collin Gillespie’s minutes being in question after a Suns loss as the rotation evolves. And with Brooks averaging a career-best 22.3 points per game and shooting 15-of-26 in this one, it’s hard to argue. The man was shooting like he had a cheat code. That explosive performance feeds directly into evaluations seen in the Suns midseason report card covering standouts and surprises across the roster.

The Suns slammed the brakes on the Lakers’ seven-game winning streak, but it wasn’t all sunshine for Phoenix—Devin Booker exited early with a groin injury, casting a shadow over the win. Meanwhile, LeBron James managed just 10 points and looked about as pleased with Brooks’ trash talk as a cat in a rainstorm.

Brooks’ blend of performance and bravado didn’t just influence the scoreboard—it set the tone for the entire night. The back-and-forth between Brooks and James felt like a sequel to their playoff saga, with every glance and gesture telling its own story. If you love a little drama with your basketball, this game delivered it in spades. The Lakers now shift focus to their next challenge with the Mavericks visiting Los Angeles seeking revenge in another high-profile matchup.