NBA legend LeBron James has copped just the second ejection of his career, after an unsavoury incident sparked a wild brawl against the Detroit Pistons.
James hit Piston Isaiah Stewart with a fist to the head, as the pair jostled during a free throw at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
When Stewart got up to remonstrate with the NBA great, things quickly escalated.
ISAIAH STEWART WANTS LEBRON pic.twitter.com/gw6u84Pqr6
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 22, 2021
LeBron James gets ejected. This place erupts with boos toward LeBron. The Detroiters who are wearing Lakers jerseys have turned back into Detroiters.
You don't mess with Beef Stew lol.
— James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) November 22, 2021
James’ whack has been described as ‘the ultimate cheap shot’, with NBA fans savaging the King for the act.
Lebron James is 100% responsible for the altercation in the Lakers vs Pistons game pic.twitter.com/V9NzC1MIdP
— HIsiah Thomas (@RedAlternates) November 22, 2021
LeBron with the ultimate cheap shot. Weak. #NBA pic.twitter.com/L1n1IIPWO2
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) November 22, 2021
Bruh LeBron just elbowed/punched Isaiah Stewart in the face very intentionally pic.twitter.com/IPNcImPFVV
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) November 22, 2021
Left bleeding profusely from the contact, Stewart was having none of James’ attempt to apologise shortly afterwards, repeatedly looking to retaliate as stewards and Pistons staff struggled to restrain him.
Isaiah Stewart running after LeBron pic.twitter.com/wb23SyWYle
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) November 22, 2021
LEBRON GOT A FLAGRANT 2 AND EJECTED ???? pic.twitter.com/GRMv0b1UBr
— Overtime (@overtime) November 22, 2021
Following a review, James was dealt a flagrant foul 2 and sent from the court, while Stewart joined James after being hit with two technical fouls.
Things continued to boil over, though, with Stewart breaking free from a group of minders in the tunnel.
“I think he’s a little upset,” said the commentators of Stewart’s reaction. “They’re having a lot of trouble just trying to settle him down.”
Wild scene here in Detroit where Isaiah Stewart, bleeding from his face from contact from LeBron James, repeatedly had to be separated from James and other Lakers players. pic.twitter.com/OAP49jWGru
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 22, 2021
It’s just the second ejection of James’ legendary career. The first came in the 2017-18 season, when he threw an air punch and abused referee Kane Fitzgerald after being hit with a technical foul for arguing against a missed call.
James has already been slammed for the moment, with controversial American sports reporter Skip Bayless tweeting that the incident “will not help LeBron James’ reputation or legacy”.
The Elbow will not help LeBron James' reputation or legacy.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 22, 2021
Trailing 66-78 at the time of the ejections, the Lakers would rally despite losing the champion, going on to win 121-116 and break a three-match losing streak.
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