Lakers Criticized by NBA Fans as LeBron James, LAL Lose to Dillon Brooks, Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of the Houston Rockets on Monday night, falling by the score of 135-119.

LeBron James finished with a double-double, scoring 23 points and racking up 10 assists compared to only one turnover. He shot 2-5 from behind the arc, but just 3-8 on free throws.

The Lakers struggled defensively, as the Rockets shot 53 percent from the field and dished out 36 assists. Los Angeles has now allowed at least 110 points in seven consecutive games.

NBA fans called out the team's poor performance.

For the Rockets, Dillon Brooks continued his feud with James that stemmed from Los Angeles' first-round victory over Brooks and the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023.

The 28-year-old called James "old" and said that he doesn't "respect anyone until they come and give me 40" during the series, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Brooks finished with 17 points on 7-12 shooting, including a three-pointer to beat the first-half buzzer.

He also picked up a flagrant foul on James in the second half, although he was able to stay in the game without recording a second one.

Brooks also had a brief altercation with Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, leading to Vanderbilt's ejection.

The Lakers fell to 24-24 after the loss and have not been at least two games over .500 since Dec. 28.