Dillon Brooks led the Phoenix Suns with 33 points in Monday night’s 125-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, crediting his mindset and team chemistry for the victory.
Brooks emphasized his role in energizing the team, saying, “I bring it every single night. I try to make it contagious… go get a bucket, make stops, communicate on defense. That heart, that dog, that’s what I bring.”
He highlighted Collin Gillespie’s performance, adding 28 points with eight 3-pointers, praising his work ethic: “He works out every single day. Studies the game, works on his shot… he’s been on a hot streak, so we’re finding him, he’s knocking them down.”
Brooks detailed Phoenix’s second-quarter surge after Devin Booker exited with a groin injury, explaining, “When I see him go to the back, I’m like, shoot, I got more shots at me now… exploring mismatches and getting to my mid-range.”
The Suns executed efficiently on both ends, forcing 22 turnovers and converting them into fast-break points, leading 28-2 in transition. Brooks credited the team’s effort and mentality: “We compose and play hard as hell… JO puts us in the right positions to score and trusts everybody to make playmaking plays.”
Royce O’Neale contributed six points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists, helping Phoenix maintain ball movement, while Brooks and Gillespie combined for timely scoring bursts that extended the lead.
Phoenix shot 57 percent from the field and 44 percent from three, holding a 33-29 edge on the boards. Los Angeles struggled with fatigue, playing their third home game in four nights, as Luka Doncic scored 38 points and LeBron James added 10, preserving his streak of 1,297 consecutive games with double-digit points.
Brooks reflected on his impact in Phoenix, saying, “I’m a different type of player, and when my number’s called, I’m ready… we’re not the biggest team or the glorified team, but we play hard every single night, and that’ll get you wins.”
The victory improved Phoenix’s record to 13-9, snapping a three-game losing streak, while the Lakers fell to 15-5, ending a seven-game winning streak. Phoenix travels to Houston on Friday, and Los Angeles heads to Toronto on Thursday for their next matchup.
