Suns Guard Dillon Brooks Ejected After LeBron James Clash

Dillon Brooks was ejected after a late altercation with LeBron James in Sunday’s Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns game, picking up a second technical with 12.2 seconds left after getting in James' face. Brooks, who had just hit a clutch three, slammed James as "a social media junkie" and argued the contact "should've been an offensive foul," though the NBA Last Two Minutes report said James' contest did not warrant a foul because Brooks extended his leg. The Lakers held on for a 116 114 win after James made two of three free throws. Merlin sees this as another episode in a long simmering rivalry that began in Memphis. Brooks thrives on provocation and it can spark momentum or self harm for his team. James defused the heat with, "I just like to compete." Their next meeting will test whether Brooks' edge wins games or costs them more.