Sunday night’s clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns had no shortage of late-game chaos, but the most talked-about moments revolved around Dillon Brooks and LeBron James once again finding themselves at the center of controversy. As tensions spilled over on the floor, Suns star Devin Booker made it clear afterward that he had no problem with how Brooks carried himself.
From the opening half, James and Brooks exchanged words and physical play, reigniting a rivalry that dates back to Brooks’ Memphis days. The night ultimately swung on a dramatic fourth-quarter sequence, when Brooks drilled a go-ahead three-pointer and immediately celebrated in James’ face, resulting in a second technical foul and an ejection. Phoenix went on to lose 116–114 after James sealed the game at the free-throw line.
While much of the focus landed on Brooks’ ejection, Booker embraced the intensity of the moment. He welcomed the edge Brooks brings, pushing back on criticism that the Suns wing crossed a line.
“There’s history there. I mean, I love to see it,” Booker said postgame. “People always say everything’s too friendly in the NBA, and then Dillon comes around, and now it’s too much. As I said, I’d rather have it the other way. It’d be too much.”
Booker also defended Brooks’ mentality and competitive drive, stressing that the Suns value that energy regardless of how a game ends.
“He wants these moments. He wants these environments. We’ve been seeing it all season from him,” Booker said.
Before the ejection, Brooks had been one of Phoenix’s biggest sparks. Despite early foul trouble, he scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, capped by the three-pointer that briefly gave the Suns the lead. Moments later, the momentum flipped entirely.
The finish only added fuel to the debate. After Brooks exited, Booker was whistled for a late foul on James, a call Phoenix unsuccessfully challenged. James converted two of three free throws, and Marcus Smart iced the game at the line.
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