KEY POINTS

  • Pacers fans got ejected for alleged obscenities hurled at LeBron James
  • James brands the act as simply intolerable
  • James is expected to be heckled more in connection with the Isaiah Stewart incident

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is aware that he will continue to receive criticism and heckling from fans following his one-game suspension for a hit on Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons.

The 36-year-old seems prepared for such profanities and has taken an unusual approach when he returned to play against the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, November 24.

He succeeded in pointing out two fans at courtside who were allegedly throwing verbal jabs that were intolerable.

With about two minutes left in overtime against the Pacers, James dragged a game official and singled out two fans sitting at courtside hurling profanities his way.

It was unclear what the two fans said to the four-time NBA champion, but it was apparently enough to tick him off.

From the video, both played innocent and tried to make it look like that they were unaware. But towards the end of the clip, the two could be seen exiting with a smile.

The woman who initially played innocent took one last shot by making an animated crying gesture as pointed out by TMZ Sports.

When play resumed, James used the incident as motivation to help the Lakers to victory, 124-116.

A deep three-pointer sealed the win for his squad, allowing Los Angeles to improve to a 10-10 win-loss record in the Western Conference.

James ended the night with 39 points, six assists, and five rebounds as he made up for the absence of Anthony Davis who missed the game due to fever, first reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

James addressed the incident after the game and explained that there was a big difference between cheering a team and crossing the line with obscene gestures.

He did not go into detail but stressed there are words that no fan should say to a player.

Things are not expected to get easier for the four-time NBA MVP in the coming games.

After the Sacramento Kings on Friday, November 26, the Lakers will face the Pistons again on Sunday, November 28 at the Staples Center with Stewart back in the fold.

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers points out fans that he had a disturbance with to security
LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers points out fans that he had a disturbance with to security during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 24, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images | Andy Lyons
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