Dillon Brooks scores 25, Suns dominate Luka-less Lakers for a 132-108 victory

PHOENIX (AP) — Dillon Brooks scored 25 points, Devin Booker added 21 and the Phoenix Suns pulled away in the second half to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 132-108 on Tuesday night.

The Lakers were playing without five-time All-Star Luka Doncic, who was out with a lower leg contusion. They did welcome the return of Austin Reaves, who missed the past three games with a left calf strain.

Reaves finished with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting off the bench, while LeBron James led the Lakers with 23. Los Angeles has lost two straight.

The Suns — who have won two out of three against the Lakers this season — led by 10 at halftime and quickly pushed that advantage to 99-72 midway through the third. They took a 112-86 lead into the fourth after scoring 45 points in the third on 16-of-22 (72.7%) shooting.

Brooks scored 12 in the decisive third and finished 10 of 15 from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range. The 29-year-old came into the game averaging 21.7 points, which is easily a career high.

All five Suns starters scored in double figures. Mark Williams had 18 points and nine rebounds, while Collin Gillespie scored 16. Booker added 11 assists.

The Suns have won two of their past three.

Phoenix took a 67-57 lead into halftime. Brooks and Booker both had 13 points for the Suns, who shot 60% from the field before the break. James had 18 for the Lakers.

Lakers: Host Houston on Thursday.

Suns: At New Orleans on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives between Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center Mark Williams (15), and forward Royce O'Neale (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) gets fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James squares up to Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. military conducted a rapid response exercise involving Marines and military aircraft in Venezuela’s capital Saturday, over four months after the ouster of then-President Nicolás Maduro.

Two Marine Corps Osprey aircraft, which have characteristics of both a helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane, flew over the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Caracas. They landed in the parking lot with the downdraft blowing tree branches. Forces then descended from the aircraft.

“Ensuring the military’s rapid response capability is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and around the world,” the embassy said on Instagram.

Venezuela’s government had announced the drill earlier this week. Foreign Minister Yván Gil said the U.S. would conduct the exercise to prepare “in the event of medical emergencies or catastrophic emergencies.”

The drill comes almost two months after the U.S. formally reopened its embassy in Caracas. The reopening followed the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the South American country after Maduro 's ouster in early January.

Some Caracas residents Saturday gathered near the embassy to watch the aircraft, while a few dozen others gathered elsewhere in the city to protest the exercise. Protesters held a Venezuelan flag with the message “No to the Yankee drill” written over it.

U.S. military aircraft last flew over Caracas on Jan. 3, when elite forces rappelled down from helicopters and captured Maduro and his wife. Both were taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. They have pleaded not guilty.

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

A soldier looks down from a military aircraft as the U.S. Embassy holds an emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)