After previously praising Dillon Brooks’ toughness earlier in the year, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was on the receiving end of that grit via a hit to the head.

Almost halfway through the fourth quarter, James and Brooks both went up for a rebound off the Rockets’ glass.

Brooks appeared to catch James with his left arm which came down on LeBron’s head.

That sent the Lakers star to the ground where he appeared to writhe around in pain.

James continued to play for the rest of the game, which ended with a 135-119 victory for the Rockets.

LeBron James went down after taking a hit to the head by Dillon Brooks 👀 pic.twitter.com/dc04rPcFN0

— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) January 30, 2024

LeBron James crashed to the floor after a clash with Rockets forward Dillon Brooks.

LeBron and Brooks both went up for a rebound – while Brooks hit James on his way down.

James quickly snuffed out a question referring to his previous praise of Brooks’ toughness.

LeBron James, who credited Dillon Brooks’ competitive nature earlier in the year, did not care to speak about him tonight: “Next question” pic.twitter.com/AdpYqq8yox

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 30, 2024

After the game had ended, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin posted a clip of a question asked to James about Brooks’ competitive nature.

That reporter didn’t even get his full question out before James immediately halted it in his tracks with a ‘Next question.’

James was one of three Lakers who logged a team-high 23 points against the Rockets – alongside DeAngelo Russell and Anthony Davis.

But Jalen Green dropped 34 points and 12 rebounds while Alperen Sengun put up 31 points and 12 boards – with Cam Whitmore putting up 20 points off the bench.

The Lakers have gone 3-3 in their last six games and hope to get back to their winning ways when they continue their road trip at the Atlanta Hawks.