The Phoenix Suns dismantled the Los Angeles Lakers to earn a 125-108 win on Monday night, and the victory gave Dillon Brooks a chance to rekindle his longstanding rivalry with LeBron James.
Brooks exploded for 33 points to lead Phoenix over Los Angeles in convincing fashion, and the ex-Memphis Grizzlies enforcer made sure to let the Lakers' 4-time NBA champion know that he'd made an imprint on the contest.
The 29-year-old combo-forward copied James' signature shoulder shrug celebration after a fast break dunk and even high-fived the Lakers' superstar guard Luka Dončić after a made free throw.
His antics proved to be impactful, as James finished with just 10 points on 30.0% shooting from the floor in 31 minutes. Still, Brooks decided to take one more shot at the 40-year-old wing in a post-game interview.
"(James) likes people that bow down," Brooks shared with Suns reporter Duane Rankin on Monday night.
"I don't bow down."
"That either entices him or it aggravates him, either or."
Brooks has a long history of getting into the heads of opposing star players, especially in postseason settings. This time, however, he decided to combine his love of trash-talk with exceptional on-court production against one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the hardwood.
In a shade under 33 minutes of play, Brooks' 33-point effort came on an efficient 57.7% field goal percentage. Just seven of his 26 attempts from the floor were from three-point range, as the rising two-way star dominated in the mid-range from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
Though he allowed Dončić to contribute 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, his nine turnovers were largely a product of Brooks' undying effort on the defensive end.
The 2023 All-Defensive Second Team selection as a member of the Grizzlies has turned a corner this season as a legitimate scoring threat for Phoenix, as his latest impressive outing increased his season averages to 22.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals on a 53.2% effective field goal percentage.
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