And on Dillon Brooks’ night to shine, he dialed in 33 points with a sizzling shooting performance. His otherworldly performance carried the Phoenix Suns past the Los Angeles Lakers 125-108 on Friday night. The game, held at Crypto.com Arena, saw Brooks dominate early, netting 23 of his points in the first half alone, including a remarkable 15 points in the explosive second quarter.
Brooks more than proved his shooting UKchops, ending the game 15-of-26 from the field with a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. His knack for putting the ball in the hole was most pronounced over one stretch when he hit 10 consecutive shots from the field. Overall, this performance was a part of Brooks having a career-high season’s average of 22.3 points per game this year.
Their star guard Devin Booker exited the game after just 10 minutes with a strained right groin. Brooks rose to the occasion, willing the Suns to victory and motivating his teammates with his infectious energy and mischief. His charisma on the court was palpable, as he not only scored but engaged with the crowd and exchanged banter with fans sitting courtside.
All night long, Brooks was unapologetic in his approach, especially when it came to his new-found, playful feud with Lakers star LeBron James. After throwing down a windmill transition dunk in the second quarter, he gave James a prolonged stare down that added some serious fuel to the competitive fire. His exuberant goal celebrations drew as much cheers as he did boos from the home crowd. He even imitated a few of James’ signature moves, such as those goofy shoulder shimmy shrugs.
Brooks’ continuous hit-talking was obviously getting into James’ head, something Brooks was both able and eager to do. He stated, “I don’t bow down. So that either entices him or it aggravates him — either or.” What he displayed was confidence and cockiness. During the game, he continued to taunt James and the Laker fanbase at every possible turn.
Fans at Crypto.com Arena have treated Brooks like a public enemy since he famously declared, “I poke bears,” following his performance in the 2023 playoffs while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. This perennial competition has carried over in the best ways to Brooks’ internal fire and play here on the floor.
Collin Gillespie, a teammate of Brooks, acknowledged his unique approach to the game, saying, “Sometimes, I’m trying to tell him to chill out, but I think he just blacks out.” What Gillespie’s impressions of Brooks’ fire and game-day focus don’t depict is what became perhaps the defining characteristic of the guard’s game.
As the Suns continue their season with an overall record of 13-9, Brooks’ contributions have been vital to their success. He’s a master at getting players and fans alike fired up. His performance against the Lakers is a reflection of his developing role on an improving team.
After the game, Brooks reflected on his shooting performance, attributing it to his teammates’ encouragement. “They wanted me to keep shooting, so I kept shooting.” His ability to step into that leadership void with Booker out further illustrates how invaluable he’ll need to be to the Suns as they forge ahead.
Leave a Reply