Dillon Brooks Goes Viral Trolling LeBron James at Lakers Elimination Game
With the Los Angeles Lakers on the verge of being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Phoenix Suns’ Dillon Brooks showed up among the spectators in what some feel was trolling LeBron James.
Brooks is known for doing his all to rile up and frustrate his opponents on the court, and he may have been doing the same as he watched the Lakers play.
The Suns’ star, wearing noticeably shiny jewelry, had a front row seat on the baseline behind the basket, and he became a focal point of the camera as LeBron was at the free throw line in the first quarter.
Fortunately for LeBron and the Lakers, that was Brooks’ seat for the first half when they were playing offense on that side of the court. The team nearly staved off elimination in the second half.
LeBron finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists, playing 40 minutes for his team as they fought until the end. Ultimately, the Thunder pulled away late with a 115-110.
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Multiple social media posts went up on X and other platforms showing clips of Brooks “hate-watching” LeBron during the NBA Playoffs, prompting a lot of commenters to react.
“He definitely earned the hater of the year award for this,” a commenter wrote, replying to the BrickCenter X account’s post.
Another said, “Dillon Brooks at a Lakers game like the final boss just spawned in.”
“Bro paid for courtside seats just to continue the rivalry dedication to hating is unmatched,” someone wrote.
“Dillon Brooks treating LeBron games like a personal side quest will never stop being funny,” a commenter said.
However, another commenter pointed out: “Pulling up to watch LeBron possibly get swept by the team you got swept by in an earlier round is not a villain move.”
On the screen and social media, Brooks’ move to attend a game in Los Angeles seems cold as ice, and the guy often labeled as a “villain” in the league stepped onto the court after OKC’s win to have a laugh with the Thunder players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
During a discussion by Fanduel’s Michelle Beadle and former NBA players about Brooks showing up, they argued about whether this was just Brooks attending an NBA game or a troll move. Both NBA players suggested it was just another player attending a game, and the fact that it was in Los Angeles made it easier.
They contended that if he had shown up in Oklahoma City, they might think differently about his intentions.
Brooks isn’t as hateful as some might suggest, as he gave his flowers to King James when speaking with Yahoo Sports.
“I watched him when I was in the NBA, when I was a kid in high school,” Brook told Yahoo Sports. “He’s got a phenomenal career and battled everybody and done it at a high level throughout. It’s been amazing to watch overall, a pleasure to battle against him.”
The potential rivalry between LeBron and his biggest fan on the court and watching courtside at Lakers games could continue, although it depends on what King James does. There’s speculation about him joining a new team or retiring, the latter of which would seemingly end this “villain” storyline Brooks is carrying around.
“I don’t think it’s his last year,” Brooks said of the potential retirement. “I think he got one more in him.”
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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 10:28 AM.