Dillon Brooks delivered one in every of his most memorable performances as he scored 33 factors within the Phoenix Suns’ 125-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday evening.
Brooks, who has been jeered in Los Angeles for the reason that 2023 playoffs when he declared “I poke bears” and referred to LeBron James as “outdated,” leaned into the rivalry all through the evening.
He traded phrases with the gang, taunted James and repeatedly celebrated baskets with gestures mirroring a few of James’ personal.
“I really like taking part in on this area,” Brooks mentioned. “They present me lots of love in right here, and I reciprocate it again.
“I’m a competitor, man. I don’t actually just like the smiling and the laughing and all that, so simply letting them know that I’m right here. And I’m nonetheless rising.”
James confronted Brooks throughout a timeout within the third quarter, an trade Brooks relished.
“He likes those that bow down,” Brooks mentioned. “I don’t bow down. In order that both entices him or it aggravates him – both or.”
A dominant exhibiting
Brooks scored 23 of his 33 factors within the first half, together with 15 within the second quarter, serving to Phoenix construct a 14-point benefit on the break.
“They needed me to maintain capturing, so I stored capturing,” Brooks mentioned after ending 15-of-26 from the sphere. He’s averaging a career-best 22.3 factors per sport.
The Suns pulled off the win regardless of Devin Booker leaving after 10 minutes with a strained proper groin.
The loss ended the Lakers’ seven-game profitable streak and held James to only 10 factors, extending his streak of double-figure video games to 1,297, however solely simply.
James didn’t point out Brooks in his postgame media session. However after Brooks backed down Bronny James late within the fourth quarter and was known as for a journey, the printed confirmed LeBron on the bench giving a thumbs-down gesture.