The Suns beat the Lakers on Tuesday night in definitive fashion as Phoenix moved to 16-13 on the season with the 132-108 win. Dillon Brooks led the way with 25 points in another quality outing for the veteran wing. He also found another way to needle LeBron James.
Brooks and James’s rivalry is not new but the flames have definitely been fanned this season with the two players in the same division for the first time. In their most recent meeting, James received a rare technical foul for getting into it with Brooks, which the Suns wing returned in kind near the end of the game and earned himself an ejection. There weren’t quite the same level of fireworks on display last night, but Brooks found a way to seemingly get under James’s skin once more with a subtle move.
James was at the free-throw line and sunk his first attempt. As most players do, the Lakers star stuck his hands out for high-fives from teammates before lining up for the second attempt. But Brooks decided he wanted in on the action and slapped James’s hand after he high-fived Deandre Ayton.
James clearly noticed and said something about it; in response Brooks just stared at him.
Dillon Brooks high-fived LeBron after he made FT 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/v248gyQ14S
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) December 24, 2025
The high-fiving of an opponent taking a free throw is a troll tactic dating back generations by NBA antagonizers. Brooks isn’t reinventing the wheel here. But his dedication to taking every opportunity to needle at James is certainly something.
Brooks seems to take some measure of pride in it, too. Earlier this month he was asked about his constant chatter directed at James and said the longtime superstar “likes people who bow down” and Brooks does not bow.
"I'm a competitor man. I don't really like the smiling, the giggling and all that. Just letting him know I'm here and I'm still rising."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 2, 2025
Dillon Brooks on his interaction with LeBron James in Suns 125-108 win over Lakers.
"He likes people that bow down. I don't bow down. That… pic.twitter.com/7saE1Qg8qt
There’s a good chance the two meet again with more on the line than a regular season game in December, too. The Suns are one of the NBA’s more unexpected success stories this year, in large part because Brooks has been playing the best all-around basketball of his career. The Lakers have their flaws but still sit at 19-9 after Tuesday’s defeat and figure to be a prominent player in the West playoff race.
Which means the final meeting between L.A. and Phoenix could prove very consequential. The Lakers and Suns will next play on April 10 with the end of the regular season days later.
The last time James and Brooks clashed in the playoffs it was explosive and set off their rivalry. Perhaps the NBA world will be treated to a sequel.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Dillon Brooks Needled LeBron James Again With Subtle Move in Lakers’ Loss to Suns.
