Lakers star LeBron James and Pistons youngster Isaiah Stewart were ejected from Sunday’s game in the third quarter following an on-court altercation and could face further punishment from the NBA league office.
James struck Stewart in the face while the two players were battling for position on a Jerami Grant free throw, opening up a large cut near Stewart’s right eye. The Pistons’ center, with blood streaming down his face, tried to go after LeBron and had to be held back by several teammates and coaches (video link). James was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul and Stewart was tossed for “multiple unsportsmanlike acts,” as our Dana Gauruder writes for The Detroit Free Press.
While it seems likely that James and Stewart will face fines, if not suspensions, for their actions, Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said after the game that he didn’t believe Stewart should receive any additional penalties.
“He shouldn’t be facing anything,” Casey said, per Gauruder. “Not getting off the court in time, the league will have to decide on that. The man got eight stitches, or whatever the number of stitches it is, across his forehead. … He was upset, blood running down his face. I don’t see ramifications from the league from that standpoint, except for him just (not) leaving the court, maybe. I thought that’s why he got ejected out of the game. To me, that’s enough punishment.”
The Lakers and Pistons are both off until Tuesday, but if the NBA is going to assess fines and/or suspensions, an announcement will likely come at some point on Monday.
Here’s more on the fracas in Detroit:
- Anthony Davis said after the game that James didn’t elbow Stewart intentionally and that he wanted to apologize to the 20-year-old. “Everyone in the league knows LeBron’s not a dirty guy,” Davis said, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “In fact, when he knew he hit him, as soon as he did it, he looked back at him like, ‘Oh, my bad. I didn’t try to do it.'”
- Lakers guard Russell Westbrook also received a technical foul as part of the skirmish, since referee Scott Foster and his crew believed Westbrook was acting as “an escalator and not a peacemaker.” Westbrook didn’t realize he had been assessed a technical until after the game, writes McMenamin. “Why’d I get a tech? I didn’t know I had a tech. Wow. That’s interesting,” Westbrook said. “Well, you know, that’s just being Russell, I guess. When you’re Russell Westbrook, they just try to do anything, apparently. Well, whatever. … They had to put it on somebody. I’m the easiest person to throw s–t on. Why not me?”
- While there may be an outside perception that Stewart, who also had a minor scuffle with Blake Griffin earlier this season, is a troublemaker, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic contends that couldn’t be further from the truth. Casey agrees with that assessment. “I told him, ‘Don’t let this define who you are. It doesn’t define your game whatsoever. Keep your head (up) and don’t get a reputation afterward,'” Casey said after the game. “I feel for the young man because he’s such a competitor and plays so hard. He’s a great kid. He felt like he got a cheap shot across his brow. On the street, it would be a different story. It’s no reflection on who Isaiah Stewart is whatsoever.”
- The Lakers were down by 17 points following James’ ejection, but battled back without him in the fourth quarter for a victory. Bill Oram of The Athletic wonders if the comeback could be a turning point for a Lakers team that has been up and down so far this season.
H should get suspended. Dude is clown who put on a big show for nothing. He walked right up to LeBron after the foul and didn’t do $#!T. Then he had the nerve to start trying to act like he wanted some smoke after everyone got between them. High school level foolishness
LeBron should get suspended too though. It clearly was a dirty play
He didn’t react badly until he noticed he was bleeding badly though
Yeah he did bro did you watch it? Not a Lebron fan at all but he’s probably the second best player of all time. Stewart and Lebron were both just trying to fire their teams up.
Not even close to being the case. Lebrun was frustrated. They were getting stomped and his elbow went flying because Stewart was out hustling him. Stewart didn’t blow up until the blood came running down & the gash was wide open. It was an in the moment blow up. Neither was trying to pump their teams up. Pistons were up by double digits at the time of incident. Lebrun was just frustrated and it created a mess of his making. The veteran team was able to be sparked but it was not the intent at the heat of the moment.
Wah wah wah settle down Detroit Dave
Too long, didn’t read
LeBron is closer to being the 4th best of all time after MJ, Kareem, and Bill Russell.
Blood or not shouldn’t matter.
What a clown take
You obviously weren’t in attendance. It’s obvious if they didn’t hold him back, he would have struck Lebrun. He had 4 guys holding him back & never was directly in front of Lebrun without people holding him back. Thinking he’s a clown or an act, proves you have clue who he is or what kind of player he is. He’s tough & will not back down. They were getting beat by 17 by a bunch of 2nd year players so Lebrun got frustrated. They are a seriously deep & veteran group so it sparked them & sucked the momentum out of the Pistons. There’s not a team out there who wouldn’t take Isiah Stewart and be proud he stands his ground.
@DetroitDAve84
“stands his ground” this isn’t a political debate and I’m not trying to make it one., so forget about all that “stand your ground” nonsense.
Go watch the video. The dude walked right up to LeBron and didn’t do a thing. I can tell you probably never had a real conflict in your life. That guy was clearly acting! If he really was fired up and ready for action he would have got busy from the jump.
All that being said, a lot of the rest of your comment was the truth.
Lebron hit him on purpose and immediately ran from the fight as soon as he could say their were people in between them, stewart should’ve broke his jaw instantly but you can’t break the commissioners side piece’s jaw everyone knows it
Yeah… a clown…. a clown who was the first player to frustrate Lebrun enough on the court to get him suspended for the first time in his career.
I am very glad Beef Stew is a Piston.
lebron is just a dirty player
Stewart should get a 2 game suspension and LeBron 1 game suspension. LeBron hit in the face was not on purpose but he plays way too much out of control sometimes. They need to send a message to him on not playing bully ball and pushing around players. Lebron fans don’t try to pretend he doesn’t play out of control some times.
2 ejections in NINETEEN years. Bully ball. Lol
So you have not watched him play. How many times is he out of control just pushing players around. Next time watch how he uses his elbow to get separation which should be a offensive foul but doesn’t get called because who he is.
I’ve watched him diligently for 19 years and NBA basketball for 50 years and LeBron does not play bully ball. It’s preposterous to even make such a claim. He’s a physical player no doubt, just like nearly EVER (non-point guard) star in the history of the NBA.
He does. Watch how he lowers his shoulder into a players chest and start pushing them around or goes up for a rebound swinging his elbows.
Typical biased Warriors fan.
typical laker fan making excuses.
You know the game , appears that many here in This. Moment section don’t
@arc89
1989- pushing in the paint aka “banging in the paint for rebounds and postups”
2021- pushing players around playing “bullyball”
Not really an LBJ stan. the elbow was probably not meant to hit him in the eye but I think he was probably angry. A dirty player? no way. in fact, I don’t think he throws his weight around enough in the paint. seems happy to shoot from 3 distance.
Everybody has watched him play, what a dumb comment. Longer than you have, well before being an opponent to your GSW.
“Not on purpose” LMAO
I have only seen LJ what I might call “out of control” when arguing with refs or getting political. As a player I think he’s just better than whoever you are rooting for.
Are you insane? Lebron held his hands down and suckerpunched him because he was locking Bron. It was the dirtiest play in decades. Lebron deserves 50 games and Stewart 0, the ejection was enough for him.
@arc89 watch the play sometime, Stewart should get no suspension, he should have just been ejected, Bron was disgusting for this move. Steph Curry would never suckerpunch anyone.
Do you think the NBA will even suspend him 1 game? Doubt it. He is always chicken elbowing players and its never called. Only reason he he threw his elbow in because he knows he can get away with it.
First you said it was an accident now you are saying he did it o purpose and all the time! Stop all the rambling and following other people’s opinions
reading comprehension would be good for you. I said he plays out of control. He is always throwing around elbows. A big difference in saying it was intentional.
Clearly you didn’t watch the video.
Arc89 is a lebron hater, well, he is not alone in this site.
Let me tell you sir, if you have lebron’s gift of physical attributes, wouldnt you wanna use that to your advantage in basketball? Everyone’s pushing or use their hands, even MJ did!!
You must have seen a abbreviated version. The amount of energy and risk it took to hold Stewart back is not professional or even valorous on his part, considered he was getting held back. Then he ran in to the tunnel like he was going to run back out somewhere else… Saddiq seemed to think so.
The way Casey supported him, you know Stewart was crying to his coach in the lockerroom!
LJ held his elbow high, like how many others do, but Stewart shouldered in anyway probably unexpectedly. If LJ punched, it was a funny punch, with the back of his hand, and with a motion the same as if he was untangling. One would not expect Stewart’s head to be there. Amazing timing if it was a hit, and it was over quickly if so. LJ did not rely on teammates to risk themselves.
Bron sucker punched him and ran like KG used to start fights and then hide.
He deserves 50 games for that play, it was the most disgusting thing Ive seen in years.
I am thinking lifetime suspension. Maybe some prison time.
Marty> 50 games?lol..no way. I dont like lbj, but 50 games is a joke.and he is silver’s golden boy,you knew it. No ban for him,or maybe just 1 game
They play next Sunday. Can’t wait. Glad to see Westbrook say he hope IS is ok and not think much of the tech for going into a boxing stance.
Westbrook got pushed out of the fray, then walked around to the other side to get in Stewarts vision. Now he plays victim? Dude is pathetic. Maybe try to be better than Gary Payton 2 instead?
Christ, can this team be full of any more unlikeable players? Russ is trash and a liar, Bron is a fraud scumbag loser. AD is also a liar, Bron is one of the most dirty players in decades who NEVER gets called on his BS the way other players (Draymond) do.
You forgot to mention Dwight Howard who is the dirtiest player in the NBA. Every rebound is a push in the back.
Yup, easily Dwight Howard is the dirtiest player – he’s been more goon than player the past few years now.
His takedown of Bam in the bubble Finals has been celebrated in the goons HOF.
Marty McCrae is a troll. Don’t feed this guy.
Why do waste tour time writing about these Lakers players, if you dislike them so much?
Maybe you should write about things you like, so you actually say positive things….
Just sayin’…..
He does plenty of that already with the Warriors going back to the Finals for another five years straight, and Curry being better than LeBron, MJ, and everyone else who ever played the game.
Lebron inadvertently hit Stewart with his elbow then tried to apologize before backing away to avoid escalating the situation while Stewart repeatedly shoved guys out of his way while sprinting towards Lebron in an effort to escalate the situation. Stewart was out of control and should be the only one suspended. Anyone who doesn’t see that is either blind, a Lebron-hater or both. Also, Dwayne Casey’s comments are ridiculous.
You shouldn’t comment if you can’t hide your biases. If you watch the incident, James elbows Stewart in the eye, then uses his fist to connect with Stewart’s nose and mouth. Stewart needed 8 stitches. That’s one hell of accident if you choose to take it that way. Stewart should be suspended 2 games and James 5 games. But the league is what it is. It wouldn’t shock me if they both get nothing after this.
I am being objective. You are being biased.
no you are not. You are a big LeBron fan. Everyone knows that.
arc89, I had no earthly idea that Chief Two Hands was a LeBron fan. Therefore your statement is incorrect.
Watch it again. It was not an inadvertent elbow, it was a closed fist hit to the face that resulted in stitches. Clearly a dirty play, followed up by a brief stare down.
LeBron didn’t like that he was getting pushed by a 2nd year player on the floor, and probably thought he should put the kid in his place.
LeBron was also probably frustrated that they were getting pummeled by a team that they think is bad, and he has been trying to motivate the Lakers to put in the effort.
He also knew the Pistons had no other bigs. The league is starting to learn that Stewart cannot manage his anger so if you instigate he will pop off and get ejected. With no one to guard AD the Lakers were able to come back and win the game. Dirty strategy, but it puts the Lakers back at .500.
LeBron has a history of trying to get hotheads ejected on purpose for strategic reasons.
Cheers for strategy! Stewart less of a hothead sounds better than LJ less of a strategist.
Lebron suckered him on getting position.
Of course the nba won’t do anything to lebron while still suspending the young kid.
Lebron definitely deserves 5-7 games while Stewart should get 1 and some anger management class. He should be angry on how lebron suckered him, it’s his after reaction that deserves a game suspension.
Lebron is old and trash now.. cost pistons the win. Lakers looked terrible with him on the court and Stewart was playing a solid game.
7 games for an elbow AGINST THE PISTONS?? You never heard of Rodman, Lambier & Oakley? GTFO KAREN
LJ is trash lol… shows your eval skills… “suckered him on getting position” ??? Don’t bother explaining that.
Jesus, you’re all snowflakes. What has American come to.
Lebaron did this on purpose because he needs more rest. watch the video. just doesn’t want to admit, so takes the suspension and gets “cred” on his team as well.
chess not checkers…
Everybody has watched the video multiple times, yet, interpretations vary widely. Why would your theory show up?
What in the world is the problem with Westbrook???! His attitude is really disturbing and annoying. Even though be makes $50m+ a year and the game has been so good to him and his family, he has no gratitude but full of bitterness. It is beyond rediculous having this type of teenager menatlity and it reflects on the court. He’s athletic as heck and often plays hard, but his basketball IQ is the lowest. Pathetic to say the least.
This is who he’s always been. He’s just not as good now and a horrible fit so his talent can no longer hide his significant drawbacks.
It’s his bitterness and blaming others that’s worse than his play on court. How he forgets that he was selected to so many all star teams, all nba teams, and even mvp… pathetic loser.
Lol Marty McCrae. “Steph Curry would never suckerpunch anyone”. Probably because it’s like Danny devito trying to sucker punch Arnie. He lets Green do it for him. Don’t bash for the sake of it, stick to your warriors and let it be. If you’re not trolling you need to get back on the short bus.
Lebron did it deliberately no matter what has been said. I don’t think he meant to catch him the way he did but he did. But Stewart’s reaction was a joke. Dodging security and trainers like a giant running back. Both deserve punishment. End of.
I watched that thing 10 times. It does appear after the elbow that Bron reaches out to him. I don’t think it was on purpose. Admittedly I’m a Laker fan. But my prediction is Stewart gets 5 game suspension. He went back for more minimum 2 times. And the last one he basically tricked his own guys he was fine. They let down their guard and he bolted 50 feet back to go after him one more time
Have you ever been hit in the head so hard you had to try to see through your own blood in your eyes and taste your own blood pouring into your mouth? It flips a switch.
LeBron is so protected by the league and Stewart is a 2nd year player on a team that isn’t doing so well. I think he was raging and needs to grow up for his own good and the good of the team, but he also knew everyone would defend LeBron and so if anything was going actually to be done it would have to be him, right then.
You may be right…..I just think the league is going to try to teach him that switch can’t be flipped in the future.
“Reaching out” could also mean a fake apology for something he did intentionally or with a reckless purpose, though. LeBron isn’t stupid and knows how to play people.
I think both should be suspended, but the league will likely use LeBron’s “reaching out” to let him off easy.
Stewart’s actions, imo, were very serious. Things could have gotten out of control. Eventually getting other players and fans involved. I would like to see him get a heavy suspension. The league shouldn’t tolerante that kind of behavior.
If you’re gonna cheap shot someone stay and finish what you started, Stewart was showing that he won’t tolerate anyone’s crap no matter who it is.
What should be reported are the sweet words delivered by LBJ after his elbows. It most certainly wasn’t “my bad”. Whatever he said further ignited Stewart. LBJ should get min. 2 games pending further investigation.
Two games for suspicion of trash talking?— the refs will mutiny for all the work that illegalization would entail!
Stewart has to be suspended, a minimum of 5 games. LBJ was clearly the instigator, and that might excuse Stewart’s initial reaction in going after him. But it can’t excuse his subsequent behavior. Once the situation was diffused, he needed to back off and let the PTB handle it (the technical was called immediately, so nobody missed it).
5 games?? Are you crazy lol. I’d fine him, but if he needs to be suspended, then 1 game at most. Play on. Emotions get the best of people sometimes, these are young men after all.
Lebron’s elbow was thrown with intent and could have done a hell of alot more damage than it did. As far as Westbrook, he’s a punk always talking like he wants to rumble, after it settles down.