diff --git a/keras/src/ops/operation_utils.py b/keras/src/ops/operation_utils.py
index b1ac2621de0a..70c66ef1d59e 100644
--- a/keras/src/ops/operation_utils.py
+++ b/keras/src/ops/operation_utils.py
@@ -24,32 +24,52 @@ def broadcast_shapes(shape1, shape2):
     >>> broadcast_shapes((5, 3), (1, 3))
     [5, 3]
     """
-    shape1 = list(shape1)
-    shape2 = list(shape2)
+    # Use tuple to avoid extra copy until needed
+    len1 = len(shape1)
+    len2 = len(shape2)
     origin_shape1 = shape1
     origin_shape2 = shape2
 
-    if len(shape1) > len(shape2):
-        shape2 = [1] * (len(shape1) - len(shape2)) + shape2
-    if len(shape1) < len(shape2):
-        shape1 = [1] * (len(shape2) - len(shape1)) + shape1
-    output_shape = list(shape1)
-    for i in range(len(shape1)):
-        if shape1[i] == 1:
-            output_shape[i] = shape2[i]
-        elif shape1[i] is None:
-            output_shape[i] = None if shape2[i] == 1 else shape2[i]
+    # Precompute the length difference and pad as necessary
+    if len1 > len2:
+        pad = (1,) * (len1 - len2)
+        shape2 = (*pad, *shape2)
+        len_ = len1
+    elif len1 < len2:
+        pad = (1,) * (len2 - len1)
+        shape1 = (*pad, *shape1)
+        len_ = len2
+    else:
+        len_ = len1
+
+    # Avoid making a list copy until output
+    output_shape = [None] * len_
+
+    # Pull to local for speed in loop
+    s1 = shape1
+    s2 = shape2
+    out = output_shape
+
+    # Localize exception msg for fast path
+    for i in range(len_):
+        a = s1[i]
+        b = s2[i]
+        if a == 1:
+            out[i] = b
+        elif a is None:
+            # None is arbitrary unless b==1 means None, else b
+            out[i] = None if b == 1 else b
         else:
-            if shape2[i] == 1 or shape2[i] is None or shape2[i] == shape1[i]:
-                output_shape[i] = shape1[i]
+            if b == 1 or b is None or b == a:
+                out[i] = a
             else:
                 raise ValueError(
                     "Cannot broadcast shape, the failure dim has value "
-                    f"{shape1[i]}, which cannot be broadcasted to {shape2[i]}. "
+                    f"{a}, which cannot be broadcasted to {b}. "
                     f"Input shapes are: {origin_shape1} and {origin_shape2}."
                 )
 
-    return output_shape
+    return out
 
 
 def compute_expand_dims_output_shape(input_shape, axis):