Dillon Brooks Gets Honest About LeBron James After Lakers' Elimination

Phoenix Suns star Dillon Brooks is often considered a villain by some, known for antagonizing opponents on the hardwood and even for recently showing up at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 4 elimination of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Many believed that Brooks was engaging in “hate-watching,” as he had a seat in the front row on the baseline right next to the basket. The camera focused right in on a chuckling Brooks, wearing plenty of shiny jewelry and a grill, as LeBron James was at the free-throw line.

LeBron and the Lakers fought until the end in that final game, giving OKC their toughest battle so far in the series. Ultimately, the reigning champions prevailed, 115-110 behind 35 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

King James finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists in what some believe may have been his final game on the Lakers, and possibly in the NBA. However, he’s yet to reveal any decisions on his future.

Read more:Dillon Brooks Goes Viral Trolling LeBron James at Lakers Elimination Game

Meanwhile, Brooks isn’t going anywhere, and he recently appeared on a live stream with popular streamer Ray, who asked him about NBA topics. Out of nowhere, he asked him comically why he hates LeBron.

That had Brooks chuckling, as he claimed it wasn’t like that, and the reason he went to the game had nothing to do with the NBA legend. Instead, he wanted to watch OKC, who also swept his Suns out of the playoffs in the first round.

“No, I really wanted to see what OKC was gonna be on. I’m watching the series, and it was kind of like our series, where [the Lakers] are in the game first and second quarter, and then they blow it open,” he told Ray.

Asked if he gets along with LeBron, Brooks said he doesn’t “know him like that,” but they are part of the same sports agency, so there’s that association.

The potential rivalry between Brooks and James dates back to at least the 2023 NBA Playoffs, when Brooks was with the Memphis Grizzlies and called LeBron “old” after winning Game 2. He also said, “I poke bears,” which led to headlines about a presumed beef between them.

LeBron got the last laugh, eliminating Brooks from those playoffs, although Game 3 saw the then-Grizzlies star receive an ejection after striking LeBron in the groin.

Upon his trade to the Houston Rockets, Brooks continued to dish out hard fouls, verbal strikes, and heavy defense whenever they faced LeBron and the Lakers. And that carried over to this past season, with Brooks playing on the Suns.

However, the way he’s explaining his recent trip to Los Angeles to watch the Thunder eliminate the Lakers was more about enjoying the basketball series. He was potentially studying the championship mentality and what makes their team so tough to defeat.

LeBron, 41, is now contemplating his future this offseason, which could be a return to the Lakers or a move elsewhere to finish his career. There’s also the possibility that he says he’s done with playing in the NBA and retires to pursue other endeavors.

As it stands, OKC is sitting pretty as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, having swept Brooks’ Suns and LeBron’s Lakers from the postseason. They’re awaiting the winner of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs series to be their opponent in the Western Conference Finals.

More news:AJ Dybantsa Reveals Surprising NBA Starting 5 That Will Get Him ‘Canceled'

For more about the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 12:10 AM.