LeBron James Gets the Last Laugh (Again) After Dillon Brooks Meltdown
If there is one universal truth in the modern NBA, it’s this: Dillon Brooks is going to Dillon Brooks. And if there is a second universal truth, it’s that poking the bear—especially when that bear is a 40-year-old James who has seen literally everything basketball has to offer—usually ends in disaster.
Sunday night’s showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns was supposed to be a standard regular-season contest. Instead, it turned into a masterclass in how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, courtesy of everyone’s favorite NBA villain. If you missed the ending, you missed one of the funniest, most predictable sequences of self-sabotage we’ve seen all season.
The Art of Poking the Bear
Let’s set the scene. The Suns, who had been trailing by as many as 20 points, mounted a furious comeback in the fourth quarter. It was actually impressive stuff. With just seconds left on the clock, Brooks drilled a massive 3-pointer to give Phoenix the lead.
In a normal world, a player hits that shot, runs back on defense, and tries to secure the W. But we don’t live in a normal world; we live in the Dillon Brooks Cinematic Universe.
Immediately after hitting the shot, Brooks decided that the scoreboard wasn’t enough. He had to make it personal. He sought out James, chest-bumping him in a display of taunting that was as unnecessary as it was costly. The officials, who apparently actually watch the games, reviewed the play and slapped Brooks with his second technical foul of the night.
Bye-bye, Dillon. Ejected with 12 seconds left in a one-point game. You literally cannot script this stuff better.
James Reacts to the Chaos
Whatever you think about the officiating, James was pretty clear about the situation post-game. While Brooks was busy playing the role of the aggrieved victim, the Lakers star kept it factual.
“It didn’t matter if he had one already or not, that’s definitely a tech,” James told reporters. “If it was a tech on me in the first half, then it was a tech on him right there.”
He’s not wrong. You can’t spend the entire game toeing the line of acceptability and then act shocked when you cross it during the most critical possession of the night. James even offered a surprisingly diplomatic take on their ongoing, lopsided rivalry.
“He just likes to compete. He’s gonna compete. I’m gonna compete,” James said. “We’re gonna get up in each other’s face. Try not to go borderline with it. You know, I don’t really take it there.” Translation: I play basketball; he plays mind games. I win; he goes to the locker room early.
Ice in the Veins (Eventually)
The comedy of errors didn’t end with the ejection. James actually missed the technical free throw, which surely had Suns fans screaming “Ball Don’t Lie” at their televisions. But the basketball gods have a funny sense of humor.
On the very next possession, with the Lakers down by one, James was fouled on a 3-point attempt with three seconds left. He missed the first free throw (because of course he did, just to spike the blood pressure of every Lakers fan in existence), but calmly sank the next two to ice the game.
The Lakers walked away with a 116-114 win, moving to 18-7 on the season. They survived a blown 20-point lead and a chaotic finish, largely because their opponent couldn’t get out of his own way.
What This Means for the Lakers
Aside from the drama, this was a gritty win for Los Angeles. They are currently sitting at No. 4 in the Western Conference and managed to pull this off without Austin Reaves, who is out with a calf injury.
With a brutal road trip coming up—including stops in Utah and a return to Phoenix—stealing this win was massive. James finished with 26 points, four assists, and the satisfaction of knowing he’s still living rent-free in Dillon Brooks’ head.
As for Brooks? He finished with 18 points and an early shower. Maybe next time, just play defense, man.
