One of the best rivalries in the current NBA is between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks. No matter the matchup, Brooks has done his best to annoy and get into the head of the Los Angeles Lakers star. In their Sunday matchup, things didn’t change between the two early in the third quarter.
The Phoenix Suns forward had the ball and was being guarded by James. He tried a fadeaway from the mid-range, but he was fouled by Luka Doncic, who came to help on defense. The four-time champion reacted angrily when Brooks ran into the Lakers player following the sequence.
He started talking to the referees, questioning why Brooks didn’t get whistled for his action. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura had to hold James back.
Dillon Brooks vs. LeBron James is always entertaining. 🤣
pic.twitter.com/jC1p6UHXFs https://t.co/pMUtXnoo8J
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 15, 2025
James was given a technical foul for his reaction. Fans revealed their thoughts on X.
“LeBron is such a baby,” a fan said.
“LeBron’s frustration with Dillon Brooks is palpable, but grabbing a ref like that? That’s a line you don’t cross without consequences,” another fan commented.
“LeBron hates that Brooks don’t play by the rules he wrote,” one fan said.
LeBron hates that Brooks don’t play by the rules he wrote.
— SPEKLACE By LE KEVIN (@SPEKLACE) December 15, 2025
“brooks always has him in his feelings,” someone commented.
“Looks like LeBron was assaulting the ref tbh,” a fan commented.
“Absolutely, the intensity between them is consistently captivating,” a comment read.
LeBron James gets Dillon Brooks ejected
It was an intense game between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks. In a crucial moment late in the fourth quarter, the Suns had the upper hand after a sequence that started from Ryan Dunn. Marcus Smart ran down the floor to attempt a layup. However, he was rejected by Ryan Dunn, giving Phoenix the fastbreak opportunity.
Devin Booker had the ball and missed a wide-open 3-pointer. Fortunately for the Suns, they secured the offensive board and found Brooks open. He made a 3, which was contested by James. The forward thought he was fouled and had a very animated reaction to the officials. After that, he chest bumped the Lakers star.
DILLON BROOKS GETS EJECTED WITH 12 SECONDS LEFT 😱
Right after Brooks hit a potential game-winner, Brooks got in LeBron's face and was hit with his second technical foul of the game 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 15, 2025
The referees evaluated the play, and Brooks’s outcome was not favorable. He was called for a foul for bumping into LeBron James after his shot, resulting in his ejection.
The next game between the two teams will be on Dec. 23 at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
