Lebron, Stewart hit with bans in fallout from NBA fracas

The NBA has handed down suspensions to LA Lakers' star Lebron James and Detroit Pistons player Isaiah Stewart after the two were involved in a heated scuffle during yesterday's game at Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit.

Lebron

Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James (C) is ejected from the game against the Detroit Pistons on Monday (AEDT). Source: Getty Images

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James was given a one-game ban whilst Stewart received a two-game ban for their roles in the incident, which occurred during the third-quarter of the Lakers' 121-116 comeback victory.

Lebron connected with an errant elbow to the face of Stewart as the pair jostled for position on a Jerami Grant free-throw, with words exchanged following the act as tensions began to rise amongst the players and the crowd.

With blood streaming from a cut above his eye, a visibly angry Stewart repeatedly attempted to break free of Pistons staff and arena officials to pursue James in an ugly scene. He received double technical fouls for the reaction whilst James was hit with a flagrant 2 foul as both were ejected from the game.
The NBA released an official statement on the incident earlier today, explaining James' suspension was, "for recklessly hitting Stewart in the face and initiating an on-court altercation," and Stewart's, ""escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing ... James in an unsportsmanlike manner."

It's just the second time in James' 19-year-career that he's been suspended, usually recognised more for his incredible play on the court with the Athletic's Shams Charania reporting that, “I’m told LeBron James did try to track down Isaiah Stewart’s number post-game to apologise again and let him know it was an inadvertent hit.”

Both players will be back in action by the time their respective teams square off again on November 29th (AEDT), this time on the Lakers' home floor at Staples Center.

You can watch a full replay of yesterday's game on SBS On Demand at the top of this article, as the Lakers ran out winners thanks to 30 points from Anthony Davis and 26 points from Russell Westbrook in James' absence.

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2 min read
Published 23 November 2021 12:54pm
By SBS Sport
Source: SBS

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