The NBA has taken action per the altercation that transpired between LeBron James and Isaiah Stewart in the Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons game, Sunday, at the Little Caesars Arena. The League organizers announced a one-game suspension for the superstar and loses out on a game check of $284.004 as a result of hitting Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart, who received a two-game suspension and a $45,201 fine for his role in the incident that occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s game. This marks the first suspension for James in his 19-year NBA career. Sunday’s ejection, the second of his career.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/blyOFowWQ3 — NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 22, 2021
BACKGROUND TO THE PANDEMONIUM Video replay showed the 17-time All Star “recklessly” hit Stewart in the face after boxing out for a free throw in the third quarter of the game in Detroit. With blood dripping down his face from the punch, Stewart got irate and charged James, as teammates and coaches tried holding him back. The second-year, 6’8 big man could not be tamed as he tried to reach LeBron severally, charging him across the court, with teammates desperately trying to get him off the court.
LeBron James and Isaiah Stewart had to be separated during the third quarter of Lakers-Pistons. Both James and Stewart were ejected and Russell Westbrook was given a technical. 🎥 @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/oTiKpI0EpM — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 22, 2021
The 4-time MVP was assessed a Flagrant-2 foul, which resulted in an automatic ejection, while Stewart was also ejected after getting two technicals for unsportsmanlike conduct during the incident. Neither player spoke after the game but the Lakers was able to rally from a 17-point deficit to win the game 121-116.
LeBron tried to get Isaiah Stewart’s phone number last night to tell him the hit was inadvertent, per @ShamsCharania https://t.co/m5u6lkAjIj pic.twitter.com/7X27jpQCUV — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 22, 2021
LAKERS FORGE-ON IN THE ABSENCE OF JAMES The Lakers will have to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday without James after he returned from an eight-game absence Friday due to an abdominal injury. Without James, the Lakers have struggled to look like a playoff team and went 3-5 during those eight games. LeBron and the Lakers will face the Pistons again on Sunday, November 28.
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