The Suns made a statement on Tuesday night, rolling past the Lakers with a 132-108 win that pushed Phoenix to 16-13 on the season. And while the scoreboard told one story, the subtext told another - one that continues to center around Dillon Brooks and his ever-evolving rivalry with LeBron James.
Brooks led the way for Phoenix with 25 points in yet another strong performance, but it wasn’t just his scoring that caught attention. The veteran wing has made a name for himself as a defensive agitator and emotional sparkplug, and once again, he found a way to get under LeBron’s skin - this time with a move so subtle it almost went unnoticed.
During a trip to the free-throw line, James hit his first shot and, as is customary, reached out for high-fives from teammates before lining up for his second. That’s when Brooks, standing nearby, casually slapped James’s hand after he’d already connected with Deandre Ayton.
It was a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but James clearly didn’t miss it. He turned and said something to Brooks, who responded with a cold stare - no words, just presence.
Now, to be clear, this wasn’t some explosive confrontation like we’ve seen from these two in the past. No technicals, no ejections.
But it was classic Brooks - always lurking, always looking for the mental edge. And when it comes to LeBron, he seems especially locked in.
Dillon Brooks high-fived LeBron after he made FT 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/v248gyQ14S
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) December 24, 2025
This rivalry has been simmering for a while now, but it’s taken on new life this season with Brooks and James now sharing the same division. Their last meeting ended with fireworks: James picked up a rare technical foul after jawing with Brooks, who later earned an ejection of his own for a late-game altercation. That tension didn’t explode this time, but the embers are still hot - and Brooks isn’t shy about stoking the fire.
Earlier this month, when asked about his persistent chirping at LeBron, Brooks didn’t back down. He said James “likes people who bow down,” and made it clear he has no intention of doing so. That mindset - defiant, unbothered - has become part of Brooks’ identity, and it’s something Phoenix is feeding off.
And let’s give credit where it’s due: Brooks isn’t just talking. He’s playing the best all-around basketball of his career right now, helping fuel a Suns team that’s quietly become one of the more intriguing stories in the West. While much of the preseason attention went to the usual heavyweights, Phoenix is starting to look like a team that could shake things up - especially if Brooks keeps performing at this level.
As for the Lakers, Tuesday’s loss dropped them to 19-9, but they’re still very much in the thick of the Western Conference race. The flaws are there, sure, but this is still a team with championship pedigree and a roster built for the postseason.
Which brings us to the bigger picture: the next Suns-Lakers matchup is scheduled for April 10, just days before the regular season wraps up. Depending on how the standings shake out, that game could carry real weight - seeding, home court, maybe even a play-in spot on the line.
And if fate aligns, we could be headed for another playoff showdown between Brooks and LeBron. Their last postseason clash was must-see TV, filled with drama, intensity, and no shortage of headlines.
"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
A rematch? That would be box office.
For now, the Suns walk away with the win and the momentum, while Brooks walks away with another notch in his ongoing psychological chess match with one of the game’s all-time greats. The rivalry isn’t just alive - it’s evolving. And with each chapter, it gets a little more compelling.