- Brooks appeared to catch James in the face after they both went for a rebound
- James avoided any questions about the praise he had for Brooks earlier this season
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After praising Dillon Brooks’ toughness earlier this year, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was on the receiving end of that grit via a blow to the head.
Nearly halfway through the fourth quarter, James and Brooks both went up for a rebound off the Rockets’ glass.
Brooks appeared to catch James with his left arm that landed on LeBron’s head.
That sent the Lakers star to the ground where he appeared to be writhing in pain.
James continued to play the remainder of the match, which ended with a 135–119 victory for the Rockets.
LeBron James collapsed to the ground after colliding with Rockets forward Dillon Brooks
LeBron and Brooks both went up for a rebound, with Brooks hitting James on the way down
James quickly suppressed a question that referenced his earlier praise of Brooks’ toughness
After the game ended, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin posted a clip asking James about Brooks’ competitive nature.
That reporter didn’t even get his full question before James immediately interrupted him with a “Next question.”
James was one of three Lakers to score 23 points against the Rockets, joining DeAngelo Russell and Anthony Davis.
But Jalen Green dropped 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun scored 31 points and 12 boards — while Cam Whitmore added 20 points off the bench.
The Lakers have gone 3-3 in their last six games and hope to resume their winning ways as they continue their road trip at the Atlanta Hawks.