LeBron James and the Lakers had their season on the line in Game 4 against the Thunder tonight. Dillon Brooks decided to attend this fixture tonight and had seats right underneath the Lakers’ basket in the first quarter.
Less than four minutes into the game, the Prime broadcast team spotted him sitting courtside while wearing some expensive-looking chains and some bling for his teeth as well.
Dillon Brooks got a seat right under the basket for Game 4 of Lakers-Thunder 😭 pic.twitter.com/9bvf8F7Naf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2026
The 41-year-old Lakers veteran went to the free-throw line with the game tied at 7-7, and the broadcast caught Brooks’ eyes fixated on James and him laughing without even blinking. It could very much be that he was laughing at something that someone sitting beside him said, but it clearly looked different to NBA fans watching from home.
Dillon Brooks laughing while staring down LeBron at the Lakers game pic.twitter.com/mWOAyqSEzD
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 12, 2026
The Lakers’ fans flooded social media as they believed Brooks was only attending the game to celebrate the Lakers’ imminent elimination. But they completely ignored the fact that two of his national teammates, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort, are playing for the Thunder and could be securing their place in the Western Conference Finals tonight.
“Courtside hatewatch lmfaoo.”
“Bro pulled up to watch LeBron get swept.”
“The ultimate troll.”
“Imagine your season ends and in your free time, you watch your rival get swept.”
“That seat placement is diabolical energy.”
“Wanted to watch the live retirement.”
Some of the Lakers’ fans also hoped that Brooks’ courtside presence would fuel LeBron James into pulling off a miracle. Others also poked fun at him for going from a “villain” to a courtside fan.
Dillon Brooks ENJOYING this hate watch 😭 pic.twitter.com/ggoVF62roh
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 12, 2026
There is a good chance that this is being blown out of proportion by the fans. We cannot speak on Dillon Brooks’ behalf about his intentions for coming to the game. But what really irks me personally is that Brooks got swept by the same team in the last round (the Thunder), so now even attending Game 4 tonight to celebrate their success disappoints the competitor in me.
But, if he did come with the dual intention of trash-talking LeBron James on his way out of potentially his last game in the NBA, I respect the commitment to the rivalry.
James and Brooks’ rivalry goes back all the way to 2021, and it peaked in 2023 when the Grizzlies faced the Lakers in the playoffs. Even recently, Brooks called James overrated, old, and predictable during the 2025-26 regular season.
It will be interesting to see if any of the players addresses his presence in the crowd today. That might give us more information on why exactly he attended this game.
