The Los Angeles Lakers saw a seven-game win streak come to an end as LeBron James and company lost 125-108 at home to the Phoenix Suns. Suns forward Dillon Brooks made headlines with some audacious antics during the win, mimicking LeBron’s signature shoulder-shrug celebration on multiple occasions and talking trash throughout the contest.
Brooks welcomed and embraced the ‘villain’ role in front of the Crypto.com Arena crowd on his way to an impressive 33-point outing. In contrast, James struggled mightily with his second-straight game of only 10 points.
After the contest, Brooks didn’t shy away from postgame media questions about his controversial behavior. Suns reporter Duane Rankin asked Brooks about his back-and-forth with LeBron.
“I'm a competitor, man. I don't really like the smiling and the giggling and all that, so just letting them know that I'm here. And I'm still rising," Brooks said.
“He [LeBron] likes people that bow down. I don't bow down. So, that either entices him or it aggravates him -- either-or.”
ESPN’s Tim McMahon reported on the LeBron-Brooks beef, commenting on Brooks’ relentless performance.
“Dillon Brooks poked the bear again and enjoyed every bit of it. Brooks lit up the Los Angeles Lakers for 33 points in the Phoenix Suns' 125-108 win Monday night, and his prolific scoring wasn't the most entertaining aspect of his performance at his favorite road arena,” McMahon wrote.
LeBron James is entering the twilight of his career for the Lakers
In Year 23, LeBron has played just five games for Los Angeles after missing multiple weeks with a sciatic nerve injury. Despite his extended absence, the Lakers have started the season with a 15-5 record as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have taken over and kept the Western Conference contenders more than afloat.
James, who turns 41 at the end of December, is averaging a career-low 15.2 points along with just 4.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists. The all-time great may officially be entering the true twilight of his career after sustaining an All-NBA level for a mind-boggling 22 seasons.
Despite LeBron’s dip in individual production, the Lakers had won all of their games with King James this season until the Suns loss. Los Angeles now holds a 4-1 record with LeBron.
The four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP will look to get back on track in his next game against the Toronto Raptors, a team LeBron has utterly dominated throughout his career.