Dillon Brooks continued his fabulous run, scoring 33 points. His performance led the Phoenix Suns to an impressive 125-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The win was a big achievement for Brooks. This season he’s been on fire, averaging a career-high 22.3 points per game!
Right from the jump, Brooks displayed his offensive mastery, scoring 23 of his points in the first half. He had 15 in the second quarter alone en route to a career-high 44 points. This incredible effort was crucial in the Suns’ 14-point advantage by the half’s end. He fought through a right strained groin injury. In spite of the pain, he was instrumental in their victory over the Lakers.
Overall, Brooks showcased efficiency all game, going 15-of-26 from the field. He had an amazing streak, where he made 10 out of his 11 attempts. This stretch was just the latest example of his ability to score in clutch moments.
The matchup against the Lakers sparked some notable tension on the court, especially between Brooks and LeBron James. On perhaps the signature play of the second quarter, Brooks slammed home a thunderous transition dunk. He then proceeded to exchange an intense stare-down with James. He danced on the court after making his daring shots with showboat-like movements resembling James’ trademark celebrations, drastically adding to the hatred among these two.
In the heat of competition, Brooks couldn’t resist a little back-and-forth trash talk with James. We can assure you that their on-court banter is all part of the game! “I don’t bow down. So that either entices him or it aggravates him — either or,” Brooks stated after the game.
His teammate Collin Gillespie commented on Brooks’ intensity during games, saying, “Sometimes, I’m trying to tell him to chill out, but I think he just blacks out.” This is indicative of the scrappy, tenacious attitude that Brooks plays with on a game by game basis.
The tide shifted significantly for the Suns when their star shooting guard Devin Booker left early in the game. His right groin was already strained just 10 minutes into the play. Brooks burst forth in his absence making the most of his offensive arsenal and leadership on the floor.
Incredible environment Brooks told us how much he loves playing at Crypto.com Arena saying, “I love playing in the Crypto.com Arena. His inspiring performance kept hope alive on the team, but more importantly, it won the adoration of fans who stood up and cheered for his efforts.
Overall, Brooks’ ability to both score and energize his teammates contributed significantly to the Suns’ victory. Yet he’s doing even better this season. Fans around the league will be tuning in to see how he continues producing at this rate, and how he builds his public dislike of veterans such as LeBron James.
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