LeBron James has been suspended for one game and Detroit's Isaiah Stewart was suspended two games for their roles in an on-court altercation during a free throw. It is James' first suspension in his 19-year career.
The Lakers and Pistons meet again Sunday in Los Angeles.
Stewart, the NBA said, was disciplined for “escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing ... James in an unsportsmanlike manner.” James merited the suspension “for recklessly hitting Stewart in the face and initiating an on-court altercation,” the NBA said.The incident happened in the third quarter as James and Stewart were jostling for position during a free throw.
Cooler heads seemed to prevail, for a moment. Stewart was guided away from the spot where the contact occurred by teammates and coaches, though he appeared to become more incensed along the way. He then tried to double back and run toward where James was. A number of people again blocked his path and made sure the ugly incident didn’t get uglier.
Stewart was assessed two technical fouls, James was assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2, and both players were ejected from the game.