Lakers forward LeBron James and Pistons center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended for one and two games, respectively, by the NBA on Monday.
This incident happened in the third quarter of the game between the Lakers and the Pistons on Sunday night. LeBron wildly lashed out at Stewart after a missed free throw attempt, which left the Pistons player bloodied in the face. James will miss the Lakers’ game against the Knicks this season. Stewart will not compete against the Heat or Bucks later this week.
The NBA said Stewart was suspended for “escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing (James) in an unsportsmanlike manner.” James received punishment for “recklessly hitting Stewart in the face.”
‘Everyone in the league knows that LeBron James isn’t a dirty guy’: Anthony Davis
Lakers star Anthony Davis later said James had struck Stewart unintentionally.
“Everyone in the league knows that (James) isn’t a dirty guy. As soon as he did it, he looked back and told him, ‘My bad. I didn’t try to do it. I don’t know what (Stewart) was trying to do. Nobody on our team, 1-15, was having it,” Davis said.
“The fact that they did give him [James] a flagrant two, automatic ejection. He missed this game, for the most part, I think that is enough for something that wasn’t done intentionally. As far as Isiah Stewart, though, I think he needs to get at least two games. LeBron shouldn’t get any,” he added