Any thoughts about the Memphis Grizzlies carrying the momentum of their Game 5 win into Game 6 on Friday night were short-lived. The Los Angeles Lakers had little problem dispatching the Grizzlies in Game 6, winning 125-85, completing the first-round upset.
After the Grizzlies won Game 2 to even the series, Dillon Brooks thought it would be a good idea to call out LeBron James, saying “I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40.”
To be fair, LeBron did not score 40 in Game 6, or any of the other games in the series. In fact, his series high was 28, which came in that Game 2 loss. In Game 6, he scored 22. Of course, that came in only 31 minutes. James didn’t need to exert a lot of energy down the stretch, as the Lakers led by 17 at halftime and 33 after the third quarter.
And while LeBron didn’t score 40 in Game 6, the Lakers won the game by that exact margin. The significance of that was not lost on NBA fans, who roundly mocked the Grizzlies — specifically Brooks — following the game.
dillon brooks said he wanted 40 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JVpPuOGWqd
— juju 💰 (@ayeejuju) April 29, 2023
Dillon Brooks wanted 40.
Lakers won 125-85 and LeBron went straight to the locker room. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) April 29, 2023
Wonder if Dillon Brooks can respect a 40-point L? 🤣🥱 https://t.co/kUFdwnrHXZ
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 29, 2023
dillon brooks said about sum about 40 points? 🥱 pic.twitter.com/JE95nEPAou
— Ari Tata🌙 (@Ariichiiyoko) April 29, 2023
The Lakers gave Dillon Brooks 40 pic.twitter.com/JPdz9pMlhf
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) April 29, 2023
the irony of the lakers beating the grizzlies by 40 to take the series after dillon brooks said he wouldn’t respect lebron until he gave him 40 is unreal
NBA script writers took their time with this one
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) April 29, 2023
And while LeBron has accomplished a lot in his career and won plenty of playoff series, none have ever been closed out by such a decisive margin.
Tonight's 40-point blowout marked the largest series-clinching win by a LeBron James team in his career. Previously: a 35-point win over the Raptors in the 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals. pic.twitter.com/fEWwXKnAZC
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 29, 2023
Brooks made himself a target with his words. Now, he can expect some backlash.