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LeBron James had the last word Sunday night by hitting two free throws in the final 3.9 seconds to lift the Los Angeles Lakers against the Phoenix Suns, 116-114.
James may be in the twilight of his career, but he has shown he still has fight. He fought with Suns forward Dillon Brooks all night. The two men engaged in multiple skirmishes as the intensity escalated.
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Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks fouls Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Phoenix. Brooks was ejected from the game after the foul. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
As the game played out, Brooks made a 3-point basket to give the Suns a one-point lead with 12.2 seconds remaining. James ran through him and knocked him down. Brooks stood up and reached out to pat James very gently.
An arbitrator came to prevent the conflict from escalating further. Brooks was ejected from the match.
“I just like to compete,” James said of his matchup against Brooks, via ESPN. “He’s going to compete. I’m going to compete. We’re going to compete. Try not to go to the limit. I’m not really taking it there. But we’re just competing and we did that almost until the end of the game.”
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Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) react after a turnover during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Suns star Devin Booker supported Brooks’ intensity.
“Yeah, I mean, there’s a story there,” he said. “I love seeing that. People always say everything is too friendly in the NBA and then Dillon comes along and now it’s too much. So, like I said, I’d rather it be the other way around, that it would be too much.”
James scored 26 points on 8 of 17 from the field. Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 29 points and six assists. The Lakers improved to 18-7 with the win.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to shoot over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, front left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
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Brooks had 18 points in 25 minutes. Booker led the team with 27 points and finished 13 of 16 from the free throw line. Phoenix is 14-12 this year.
