LeBron James played a crucial role in helping the Lakers beat the Grizzlies 117–111 on Monday night to go up 3–1 in the first-round playoff series, and fans were quick to troll Memphis forward Dillon Brooks based on some comments he made about the L.A. star back in January.
A few months ago, Brooks told reporters that the four-time NBA champion “doesn’t want to go left.” Apparently, James took that personally.
When Game 4 was in overtime, James drove the ball to his left and scored a layup over Brooks with 29.1 seconds remaining. Brooks fouled James in the process, but the Lakers star was unable to convert the three-point play by missing his free throw. Even still, the layup was enough to seal L.A.’s victory.
Because of the irony of this situation, fans jumped on social media with the receipts of Brooks’s prior comments.
Never forget when Dillon Brooks said LeBron doesn’t wanna go left. pic.twitter.com/DRHUDMaNfl
— LeBron History 🏀 (@bronhistory) April 25, 2023
Remember a couple months back when Dillon Brooks said LeBron doesn’t like to go left? LMAO 👑
— GoldenKnight (@GoldenKnightGFX) April 25, 2023
pic.twitter.com/O7JjDOb5AY
THE KING ICED THE GAME BY GOING LEFT ON DILLON BROOKS.
— Aaron Bagley (@aaronbag1ey) April 25, 2023
POETIC!!
Dillon Brooks: “LeBron doesn’t like to go left”
— Masked 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) April 25, 2023
LeBron: pic.twitter.com/OOgzIRZZfl
Earlier this year Dillon Brooks claimed he could easily stop lebron by forcing him left….
— Anish Jay Jain MD (@AnishJayJain) April 25, 2023
“When you come for the king, you best not miss” #Lakeshow #LAKERSWIN https://t.co/mhA2bnmKG9
Dillon brooks : "make LeBron go left"
— opensikeeagle (@Opensikeeagle) April 25, 2023
LeBron: pic.twitter.com/HCgD7CUAwY
3 months ago
— bron (@IncognitoTalen) April 25, 2023
"Lebron doesn't wanna go left" - Dillon Brooks
😭😭😭
It’s been contentious between the two players throughout the entire first-round series in this year’s NBA playoffs. In Game 3 on Saturday, Brooks was ejected after earning a flagrant 2 foul from hitting James in the groin area. After Game 2, Brooks told media that it would’ve been a “harder task” to face the “old” James during his Cavaliers or Heat eras. The Grizzlies star even spoke about becoming a “villain” during this series.
James and Brooks will take the court once again on Wednesday as the Lakers look to close out the series on the road in Game 5. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.