UPDATE: Longtime rivals LeBron James and Dillon Brooks are set to clash once again this Tuesday, December 5, 2025, in a highly anticipated matchup in Phoenix. The stakes are high as both players look to assert their dominance in a season marked by fierce competition.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns have split two previous contests this season, with both games igniting tensions between James and Brooks. This rivalry dates back to 2021 when James famously celebrated with the “too small” gesture against Brooks. However, it was during their explosive playoff series in 2023 that their confrontations reached new heights.
In recent games, the intensity has only escalated. In November 2023, during a close victory against the Houston Rockets, James praised Brooks as a “great competitor,” but noted he enjoyed the challenge. This statement underlines the mutual respect that exists amid their competitive fire.
“He’s a great competitor. I like going against him,” James said after a tight 105-104 win. “He was hooping tonight for sure.”
Fast forward to December 2025: Brooks, coming off a stellar performance where he scored 33 points in a 125-108 win, has not shied away from trash talk. He called James a “social media junkie” following their intense encounters, including a heated moment that led to Brooks’ ejection for initiating contact with James.
As the Suns rallied from a 20-point deficit in that game, Brooks hit a go-ahead three-pointer with just 12.2 seconds remaining before his controversial exit. This incident further fueled speculation about the rivalry, with both players exchanging heated words throughout the match.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s game, both teams are poised to battle it out on the court as Brooks continues to average a career-high 21.7 points per game in his first season with the Suns. Meanwhile, James, in his 23rd year in the league, is averaging 20.2 points, though he has only appeared in 11 games this season due to injuries.
As they prepare to meet again, fans are eagerly anticipating the fireworks that are likely to ensue. With Brooks intent on getting under James’ skin and both players looking to lead their teams to victory, the stage is set for another chapter in this fierce rivalry.
Expectations are high as the Lakers and Suns face off, and with both players’ competitive spirits ignited, this is a game NBA fans won’t want to miss!
