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.
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.
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.”
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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
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.
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.