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Things took an ugly turn during the NBA match between Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers star LeBron James and Pistons player Isaiah Stewart both had to be left out from the game. The decision to leave them was taken after they were involved in an ugly brawl on court. The Lakers eventually won the match 121-116.
Notably, the fight between James and Stewart happened early in the third quarter. When both James and Stewart were both looking to take charge on a rebound on a second free-throw attempt, visuals showed that James' elbow hit Steward which seemed to have irked the 20-year-old.
While James seemingly went to him to offer an apology, the Detroit player did not want any of it and responded violently as he charged at James. Players from both sides eventually had to intervene to stop the fight and it wasn't the best of advertisements for the sport.
The video of the incident has also gone viral.
Check it out here:
Later Stewart had to be escorted away from the action by security officials and teammates but he managed to break free and charged at James with whom he was angry. However, when the players calmed down, they were asked to be in their respective change rooms.
Notably, this was the second time that James was part of such an incident in his career. The first such instance happened in 2018 when James played for Cleveland Cavaliers and was ejected for throwing an air punch at Fitzgerald. He had even abused the official.
The James and Stewart brawl was reminiscent of the year when The Malice the Palace episode had unfolded which happens to be the most infamous brawl in NBA history. The incident had happened 17 years ago and involved Detroit’s Ben Wallace and Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal.
While Artest had been a suspension for the remaining season that year, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Nea were sentenced 30 and 25 matches suspension. Ben Wallace received a six-match suspension.
