The Phoenix Suns took a cautious, game-time approach with Dillon Brooks as he continues to manage a nagging left Achilles soreness—but his own antics ensured he wouldn’t need to worry about minutes for long.

The Los Angeles Lakers took down the Phoenix Suns 116-114 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in a drama-filled clash on Sunday. LeBron James and Dillon Brooks were at the center of most of it, and at one point in the third quarter,

— The Suns went 8:05 without scoring a point. In an NBA game. They led 77-71 with 5:28 to go in the third quarter and didn’t score again until Grayson Allen hit two free throws with 9:23 to go in the fourth. They went 10:11 without a made field goal.

Whenever Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Phoenix Suns wing Dillon Brooks are on the court together, you can bet there will be some chippiness.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks got into skirmishes the entirety of their game on Sunday night.

PHOENIX — Trailing from the right wing, Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks watched teammate Devin Booker rebound his own miss and turn his direction. Brooks stepped back, caught the pass and buried the biggest shot in Sunday night’s clash with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Video highlights of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James who hit the game-winning free throws against the Phoenix Suns.

Games like the Suns’ loss to the Lakers on Sunday night are the ones that punch you right in the gut. They feel mucky. They feel gross. For a Phoenix team that lives on rhythm and disruption, this was one of those nights where it felt like the game was taken out of their hands by a whistle that never loosened up.

The Suns acquired Green from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade before the 2025 draft. Green first injured his hamstring during training camp. He then reinjured it during a weeklong stay in China as the Suns played two preseason games against the Brooklyn Nets.

PHOENIX -- Ever since the Phoenix Suns acquired Dillon Brooks this summer, he has spearheaded a huge culture shift that has led to Phoenix completely changing its identity and surpassing all preseason expectations to this point with a 14-11 record so far.

That is, unless you're JJ Redick, because he lives for these types of situations. He got to do so today as the Los Angeles Lakers hacked out a 116-114 victory over the pesky Phoenix Suns. Those things – the collapse, the technicals, and the barbs – all happened in this game.