On Monday night, the Suns defeated the Lakers 125-108, ending Los Angeles’s seven-game winning streak. It was a truly remarkable victory for Phoenix. Superstar Devin Booker had to leave the game in the first quarter due to a groin injury, but his teammates were ready to step up, led by none other than Dillon Brooks.
The NBA’s most notorious antagonist scored 33 points on 15-of-26 shooting, guiding the depleted Suns past the talented Lakers. As expected, he wasn’t shy about letting the Lakers hear it, engaging in trash talk throughout the game; at one moment, he even mocked LeBron James with his signature shoulder shrugging celebration. However, Brooks did face some challenges, and a particular turnover near the game’s conclusion prompted a humorous reaction from James.
With Los Angeles trailing by 18 with just a few minutes left, coach JJ Redick cleared the bench, allowing Bronny James to take the court. Despite this, the Suns’ starters, including Brooks, were still actively playing. With approximately three minutes remaining, Brooks found himself facing off against the younger James and attempted to back him down. However, the second-year shooting guard caused a shot clock violation on Brooks, and Phoenix lost possession of the ball.
Cameras captured LeBron on the sideline, who playfully trolled Brooks with a thumbs-down gesture for failing to score against his son.
Bron gave Dillon Brooks the thumbs down after not scoring on Bronny 😅👎 pic.twitter.com/x45QSpzDtn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 2, 2025
Simple but impactful. James typically refrains from engaging much with Brooks’s antics, but it seems he couldn’t resist this time.
Ultimately, the night was dominated by Brooks. LeBron managed only 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting, while Bronny finished with zero points in his six minutes on the floor. Most importantly, the Suns secured a victory to continue their surprisingly strong season, and the Lakers must regroup.
Dillon Brooks on if LeBron James took offense to his trash talk:
“Always. Always. LeBron likes people who bow down to him. I don’t bow down.” pic.twitter.com/WcFbzGpPhZ
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) December 2, 2025
Phoenix will play again on Friday against the Rockets, while Los Angeles will take on the Raptors on Thursday.
