By now we're sure you've seen all of the footage from every angle, but the latest instalment in the saga between Dillon Brooks and LeBron James was perhaps the most eventful yet.
The Los Angeles Lakers escaped with a narrow two point victory, but in the process the Phoenix Suns and Brooks got the symapthy from the wider NBA community. Those Lakers, at it again ehh?
Brooks goes from villain to hero in spat with LeBron
If there's one thing rival fans love to do, and fans in The Valley themselves were once guilty of this, it is hate Brooks. When he's not on your team, he is an easy target because of how hard he plays and some of his antics to rile up opponents. Mat Ishbia though? Absolutely loves him.
So it would have been understandable then if the league had sided with James and the Lakers after Brooks got all up in LeBron's business and was ejected for his troubles. Not so.
LEBRON JUST PUSHED AND SCREAMED AT THE REF???
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) December 15, 2025
We've seen Dillon Brooks get under dude's skins before, but this something else from LeBron... #NBA pic.twitter.com/1K98UkayhL
It was the moment above that preceded Brooks getting tossed from the game that had everybody wondering, how on earth could James get away with putting his hands on an official like that?
When Brooks got up in LeBron's business later in the contest, it was not nearly as hostile an act (we think there may have been some light flopping going on too with how easily James was pushed back, but we'll say no more).
Should Brooks have been ejected? Probably, we've seen players go for a lot less. But that's exactly why, for one night only, Brooks went from the villain of the piece to the guy the whole league was rooting for.
James should also have been kicked from the game for how he acted towards the officials, and social media was awash with fans once again irate that the Lakers got the favorable calls that led to a close win.
This is uncharted territory for Brooks, and it is not likely to happen until the two sides meet again. But for one night only everybody was on his side, while also marvelling at the incredible ability he possesses to get under the skin of one of the best to ever do it.
Not since Lance Stephenson have we seen an opponent so clearly try and wind James up, and have so much success doing it. The two sides will meet again just before Christmas. Expect more fireworks.