Dillon Brooks is ecstatic about playing against LeBron James on his 42nd birthday originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Now that LeBron James will be playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, the matchups between him and Dillon Brooks will be quite rare in the 2026-27 season. However, that does not mean they will not be playing against each other, as they will be facing each other on LeBron's 42nd birthday on December 30.
Brooks has enjoyed his time playing for the Phoenix Suns, but he has some renewed confidence over the past year. He had his first year of averaging 20+ points per game, so it is not a surprise that he is quite confident in himself ahead of his second year with the Suns.
Dillon Brooks is excited to play against LeBron James on the four-time MVP's birthday
Throughout his career, Brooks has been one of the most well-known agitators in the league. He loves getting under his opponent's skin because that could throw them off their game. Brooks loves being the pest, whether that is through physicality or through antics.
Even when the Suns were eliminated in the 2026 postseason, he watched LeBron's Lakers play against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Many dubbed it a "hate-watch," which was quite an accurate term for it because he truly was there to watch the Lakers lose.
MORE: Dillon Brooks signs a new long-term extension with the Suns
Now that the Suns will be playing against LeBron's 76ers on his birthday, it seems the one who is most excited is Brooks. That is the type of moment he lives for because he wants to be the spoiler to LeBron's 42nd birthday.
"Oh, that's LeBron's birthday too? I’m excited. That’s more ammunition for me to win that game, but it should be fun," Brooks said about the Suns' matchup against the Lakers on December 30.
It will be an interesting matchup to say the least. The season has not started just yet, but the 76ers are seen as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference. This particular matchup for the Suns will be huge because it is an opportunity to beat one of the NBA's best.
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