“It Cost Him”: $48,000,000 Lakers Forward Minces No Words on Dillon Brooks as Suns Star’s “Antics” Fail

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns - Source: Imagn
Dillon Brooks once again delivered his trademark intensity and theatrics against the LA Lakers on Sunday - Image Source: Imagn

Dillon Brooks once again delivered his trademark intensity and theatrics against the LA Lakers on Sunday, but it was the Purple and Gold who emerged victorious with a narrow 116-114 win over the Suns in a fast-paced showdown at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

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Phoenix showed resilience after falling behind 99-79 with 7:48 remaining, mounting a surge that gave them a 114-113 advantage with 12.2 seconds left following Brooks’ 3-pointer over LeBron James.

As play moved back up the floor, Brooks bumped James, drawing his second technical foul and resulting in an automatic ejection.

Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal to anchor the defense, commented on Brooks’ behavior after the ejection briefly swung momentum to the Suns before their comeback ultimately stalled.

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“I mean, s**t, he brought his antics, and tonight it cost him,” Vanderbilt, appearing for just the second time this month, said. “So, yeah, that’s all I can say.”

James failed to convert the technical free throw, but the Lakers maintained possession. He was then fouled while attempting a 3-pointer and knocked down two of three free throws to reclaim the lead.

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On the next trip, Grayson Allen missed a floater, and Marcus Smart was fouled in the final seconds, splitting his free throws to clinch the win.

Dillon Brooks ended the night with 18 points, connecting on four shots from beyond the arc. Devin Booker paced Phoenix with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Mark Williams chipped in 20 points and six rebounds.

For the Lakers, Luka Doncic led all scorers with 29 points despite shooting just 7-of-25 from the field, including 2-of-14 from 3-point range. James finished with 26 points, and Deandre Ayton recorded 20 points and 13 rebounds.

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Revisiting Dillon Brooks’ history against LeBron James and the LA Lakers

Dillon Brooks has been cast as a villain among Lakers fans dating back to his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, when the two teams clashed in the 2023 playoffs.

After Brooks and the Grizzlies captured Game 2 of that series, he labeled James “old,” claimed he “pokes bears” and added he “don't respect anyone until they come and give me 40.”

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James appeared to take the remarks personally, responding in Game 4 by posting 22 points and 20 rebounds for the first 20-20 performance of his career.

Following the Lakers’ six-game series victory, capped by a 40-point blowout, James posted photos on Instagram accompanied by a Mystikal freestyle quote:

“If you ever see me fighting in the forest with a Grizzly bear, HELP THE BEAR 👑”

He later followed up on X, sharing lyrics from Jay-Z’s “Trouble” aimed at the Grizzlies.

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Dillon Brooks has since moved on to the Houston Rockets and was later dealt to Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant trade.

Phoenix Suns Fans? Check out the latest Suns depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro
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