LeBron James Isn’t Trading Trash Talk With Dillon Brooks Before Game 3
LeBron James has seemed wise beyond his years since the start of his basketball journey, and he wasn’t about to drop down to Dillon Brooks’ level of speech heading into a pivotal game for the Los Angeles Lakers.
James declined to respond to the Memphis Grizzlies’ top agitator Friday after Brooks said the top scorer in NBA history was “old” following Game 2 of the teams’ first-round playoff series, which resumes Saturday night in Los Angeles.
The 38-year-old James patiently parried several questions about Brooks’ comments and about the importance of trash talk in general before abruptly cutting short his media session at the Lakers’ training complex. James never said Brooks’ name, but he clearly knew who’s behind the narrative trying to push its way into a competitive series after two eventful games in Memphis.
“I’m ready to play,” James said. “That’s it.“
The seventh-seeded Lakers’ visit from the Grizzlies is the second game of a Saturday doubleheader at the downtown Los Angeles arena long known as Staples Center. The short-handed Clippers tip off against the Suns in Game 4 about 6 1/2 hours earlier, with Phoenix looking to claim a daunting 3-1 series lead with a second straight road win.
Also Saturday in Eastern Conference play, the Philadelphia 76ers will look to sweep the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 before the Heat host the top-seeded Bucks in Game 3 with their series even at 1-1 after Miami swiped the opener in Milwaukee.
James has won four NBA titles and four league MVP awards on top of practically every other achievement possible in the modern game during his 20 seasons. The 27-year-old Brooks, who is older than the median and average ages of current NBA players, has won one playoff series in his six-year career.
So a resume competition would be a blowout victory for James, but he wasn’t about to play any such games with Brooks, who described his overall philosophy after Game 2 as: “I poke bears.”
“At the end of the day, there’s 10 guys on the floor,” James said. “They’re one of the best defensive teams in the league, and we have to respect that. No matter who is out in a Grizzlies uniform during that particular time, during that quarter, during that minute, we’ve got to respect everybody and we’ve got to execute offensively.”
James will go back to work against Brooks and the Grizzlies on a landmark night in Lakers history: For the first time in 10 years, and for the first time with James and Anthony Davis on the roster, this 17-time NBA champion franchise will hold a playoff game in front of a capacity home crowd.
The Lakers missed the playoffs in six consecutive seasons after losing in the first round to San Antonio in 2013, and their 2020 championship run occurred in the Florida bubble. They hosted three playoff games in a first-round loss to the Phoenix Suns in 2021, but attendance was capped at less than half-capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“I’m looking forward to it,” James said.
Ja Morant’s availability for Game 3 is still unclear after he missed Game 2 with a sore right hand, but the Grizzlies star appears to be improving quickly. He went through a noncontact practice and individual drills Friday in Los Angeles, but coach Taylor Jenkins said they’ll wait until game time to decide whether he’ll play.
The 76ers lead 3-0. Game 4, 1 p.m. EDT, TNT
— NEED TO KNOW: After overcoming James Harden’s curious ejection for an impressive victory in Game 3, Philadelphia can earn some valuable rest before the second round by finishing off the Nets, who also got swept in the first round in 2020 and 2022.
— KEEP AN EYE ON: The Sixers are dominating even with relatively pedestrian contributions from two-time scoring champion and MVP candidate Joel Embiid, who had only 14 points in Game 3.
— AVAILABILITY WATCH: Neither Harden nor Embiid will be suspended for fouls committed in Game 3.
— PRESSURE IS ON: Brooklyn, obviously. A tumultuous Nets season will end in ignominious fashion if they can’t take at least one game off the powerhouse Sixers.
Suns lead 2-1. Game 4, 3:30 p.m. EDT, TNT
— NEED TO KNOW: Clippers coach Tyronn Lue is making two game plans depending on whether Kawhi Leonard is able to return for Game 4. Los Angeles provided no update on the right knee sprain representing the latest significant injury for the quiet superstar.
— KEEP AN EYE ON: Devin Booker. He is averaging 36.3 points per game in the series, and the Suns star invariably plays with an extra spring in his step in the building once called home by his hero, Kobe Bryant.
— INJURY WATCH: “If (Leonard) is not back, we have to rally around each other, support each other, find ways to make something happen.” Russell Westbrook, who had 30 points in the Clippers’ loss in Game 3. . ..Phoenix’s Cam Payne is questionable with low back soreness.
— PRESSURE IS ON: Leonard. He missed all of last season and played in just 52 games this season to stay in top shape for the playoffs. Clippers fans are g
