LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers' player, has been suspended for one and Detroit's Isaiah Stewart for two games. They were involved in an unsavory incident that occurred during Sunday's Lakers-Pistons match.
Both suspensions were announced by the NBA Monday and will have an impact on games Tuesday. James will not be playing when the Lakers visit Madison Square Garden in order to face the New York Knicks. Stewart will not be able to attend the Pistons' game against Miami on Tuesday, and their game at Milwaukee Wednesday.
James will be losing approximately $284,000 in salary and Stewart will lose approximately $45,000 This is James's first suspension in his 19-year career, which has seen him win four NBA championships with three teams.
Sunday's matchup between the Pistons and Lakers will be in Los Angeles. James and Stewart both have the right to play.
According to the NBA, Stewart was disciplined for "escalating a court altercation by repeatedly, aggressively following... James in an unsmanlike manner." James also merited the suspension "for recklessly striking Stewart in the face" and starting an "on-court altercation."
The incident occurred in the third quarter. It started when James was jostling for position during free throws. James appeared to have his arms intertwined with Stewart's and he swung his elbow making contact with Stewart. Stewart quickly got blood coming from his eye. James tried to diffuse the situation when he realized he had made contact with Stewart. He also drew blood.
It wasn't long before most of the players and coaches from both teams joined the fray to try and keep Stewart and James apart. Within 25 seconds of James making contact, at least 25 people were on the floor. Referee Phenizee ransom attached himself directly to James.
For a brief moment, cooler heads prevailed. While Stewart was eventually escorted by his teammates and coaches away from the point where the contact took place, he seemed to get more upset along the way. Stewart tried to run towards James and double back, but he failed on several occasions. He was again stopped by a number of people who made sure that the incident did not escalate.
Dwane Casey, the Pistons coach, said that Stewart required eight stitches to close his wound and that Stewart's reaction was not worthy of a suspension.
"His eye cracked all the way. Casey explained that he was upset because of a reason.
Stewart finally left the floor and seemed to sprint once more. There was concern that Stewart would attempt to return to the floor via another tunnel. Cory Joseph, a Pistons guard, even made his way toward the tunnel with Scott Foster, the game's chief referee.
Foster said that Isaiah Stewart had left the court and Cory was anticipating that he might come around the back (of) the house to enter the Laker bench on the opposite side." Foster spoke after the game to a pool reporter. He was going to intercept him. Cory was actually informed that this would be a good idea.
Stewart was given two technical fouls and James was given a Flagrant Fol Penalty 2. Both players were then ejected.
James has been sanctioned numerous times by the league before, including for flopping, skipping news conferences, and kickin' a water bottle. The suspension, however, is his first and will mean that he will not be able to attend the Lakers' game at Madison Square Garden this season -- one of his favourite arenas.
