LeBron James Watches Son Bronny Defend Against Dillon Brooks in Lakers’ Loss to Suns

In a Monday night matchup that saw the Los Angeles Lakers struggle against the Phoenix Suns, a silver lining emerged during the final minutes of the fourth quarter. As the game slipped into garbage time with the Lakers trailing significantly, LeBron James found himself in an unusual position—as a spectator rather than the dominating force on the court. This rare moment, however, provided the future Hall of Famer with an opportunity to witness his son, Bronny James, in action. Cameras captured LeBron’s enthusiastic reaction when Bronny played solid defense against Dillon Brooks, successfully preventing the veteran from making a shot. This father-son moment, amidst a disappointing team performance, highlighted the unique dynamic of having both James men on the same NBA roster.

Despite Bronny’s brief defensive highlight, Dillon Brooks ultimately had the last laugh in the contest. The veteran forward delivered an outstanding performance for Phoenix, logging 33 minutes of playing time while shooting an impressive 15-26 from the field. Though his three-point shooting was less efficient at just two made baskets from seven attempts, Brooks still managed to lead all scorers with 33 points while adding two rebounds and two assists to his stat line. His dominant offensive display proved crucial for the Suns, especially considering the circumstances they faced midway through the game when their star guard Devin Booker was forced to exit with a groin injury during the first half and did not return.

Brooks’ performance became even more significant after Booker’s early departure, as the Suns needed someone to step up in their star’s absence. Despite missing one of their primary offensive weapons, Phoenix showed no signs of struggle against a visibly fatigued Lakers squad. The Suns maintained control throughout the contest, eventually securing a convincing 125-108 victory over Los Angeles. This win improved Phoenix’s season record to 13-9, while the Lakers absorbed just their fifth loss of the season. The game demonstrated the Suns’ depth and resilience, as they were able to handle the loss of Booker without missing a beat, largely thanks to Brooks’ standout offensive showcase.

LeBron James, who had sat out Sunday’s game for foot injury management, returned to action but delivered an uncharacteristically quiet performance. In his 31 minutes on the court, the superstar struggled with his shooting, connecting on just 3 of 10 field goal attempts and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for a total of 10 points—well below his career averages. This subdued showing from LeBron came at a time when the Lakers could have used his typical dominance, particularly as they tried to overcome the Suns’ momentum. The performance raised questions about whether the foot issue that kept him sidelined the previous night might still have been affecting his play, despite being cleared to return to action.

Bronny James, meanwhile, saw limited action in the contest, playing just six minutes off the bench. His statistical impact was minimal, recording only one assist while committing one turnover. The appearance came after a busy period for the sophomore guard, who had spent the previous day with the Lakers’ NBA G League affiliate in South Bay before being recalled by the main roster on Monday afternoon. While his playing time was restricted, the defensive sequence against Brooks that drew his father’s celebration demonstrated flashes of the young player’s potential, particularly on the defensive end. These brief moments on the court represent valuable NBA experience for Bronny as he continues to develop his game at the professional level.

The Lakers will look to bounce back from this disappointing loss when they return to action on Thursday night, beginning a back-to-back set with a road matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The team will need to regroup and find solutions to the issues exposed in the Phoenix game, particularly their ability to maintain energy and execution when facing quality opponents. For LeBron and Bronny James, the unique father-son journey continues as they navigate the challenges of an NBA season together—creating historic moments along the way, even in defeat. Their presence on the same roster remains one of the most compelling storylines in the league, with fans eager to see more interactions between the basketball legend and his son as the season progresses.