Dillion Brooks could only muster a two-word response following the Memphis Grizzlies’ defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA play-offs.
The Lakers were taken to overtime but they made great use of it as they secured a 117-111 victory to go 3-1 up in the series. LeBron James, who has been the primary target of Brooks’ jibes since the series commenced, scored 22 points and claimed an insane 20 rebounds along with seven assists.
After being ejected from game three for hitting the four-time NBA champion in the groin, the Grizzlies forward registered just 11 points, four assists and five rebounds in 41 minutes of action. After a tough defeat, Brooks refused to speak to the media, but did leave a short response of “I’m out” as he declined to talk to reporters for the second straight game.
Following the Grizzlies’ victory in game two, Brooks proceeded to call James “old” and tried to get into the legend’s head by taunting him during that particular game. "I don't care, he's old," Brooks said. "You know what I mean? I was expecting him to do that game four, game five.
"He wanted to say something when I got my fourth foul, he should've been saying that earlier on. I poke bears, I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40. I pride myself on what I do." Following the strong performances of the Lakers and James, who registered his first 20-point and 20-rebound performance of his career, Brooks and the Grizzlies now face elimination in game five later this week.
James made a layup as he was fouled by Brooks with 45 seconds remaining. He proceeded to flex his biceps and roar with delight as the Lakers’ victory was all but secure, something the icon commented on post-game. "I felt like that play right there, I wouldn't say, 'closed the door,' but it sealed it,” James said.
"There wasn't much light at the end for the rest of the game. I was just letting the emotion come out." James’s stellar performance anchored his Lakers team and his 20-20 stat line saw him become the oldest player to achieve the feat since Wilt Chamberlain in 1973, who was 36 at the time.
"I've done some pretty cool things in my career," James said. "I've never had 20 and 20 before. So, that's pretty cool, I guess." After a disappointing first round elimination in 2021 and missing out on the playoffs altogether last year, the Lakers now have an opportunity to become the first seventh seed to beat a No. 2 seed since San Antonio managed it in 2010.
Thrilled to be part of the post-season once again, the four-time NBA Finals MVP said: "These are the moments that I love," James said. "I love the postseason. "I've been a part of a lot of the games and I just love being able to make plays and be out there with my teammates to give them experiences that they maybe never had before."
