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LeBron James had the last laugh Sunday night when he made two free throws in the final 3.9 seconds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to victory over the Phoenix Suns, 116-114.
James may be in the twilight of his career, but he showed that he still has some fight in him. He was battling with Suns forward Dillon Brooks all night. The two engaged in multiple skirmishes as the intensity increased a bit.
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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 wound down, Brooks hit a decisive 3-pointer to put the Suns up one point with 12.2 seconds left. James ran through him and knocked him down. Brooks stood up and stuck out his chest to gently hit James.
An arbitrator approached to prevent the conflict from escalating further. Brooks was ejected from the game.
“I just like competing,” James said of facing Brooks, via ESPN. “He’s going to compete. I’m going to compete. We’re going to go against each other. Try not to go to the limit. I don’t really take it there. But we’re just competing and we did until almost 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 history there,” he said. “I love watching it. 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: too much.”
James scored 26 points on 8 of 17 shooting from the field. Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 29 points and six assists. The Lakers improved to 18-7 with the victory.
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 scored 18 points in 25 minutes. Booker led the team with 27 points and was 13 of 16 from the free throw line. Phoenix is 14-12 on the year.
