NBA News: LeBron James Suspended For Initiating Altercation With Isaiah Stewart

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been suspended for one game for his part in the fight that occurred with Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart yesterday, November 21.

Tim Bontemps of ESPN relayed the NBA’s decision regarding the matter, with James getting the suspension because of “recklessly hitting [Isaiah] Stewart in the face and initiating an on-court altercation.”

Meanwhile, Stewart received a two-game suspension because of “escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James in an unsportsmanlike manner.”

Lakers All-Star Anthony Davis came to James’ defense in the post-game presser.

“We're not promoting violence. I'm not promoting violence. Our security and their security did a hell of a job,” Davis said via Kyle Goon of the South Carolina News Group.

Stewart and James got into it early into the third quarter of their game yesterday as James was trying to break free from the box out that Stewart had put him in.

However, James spun around and grazed Stewart with his left elbow first before landing an elbow flush in the face of the Pistons big man.

Understandably irate and frustrated, Stewart went after James repeatedly as Pistons staff did their best to keep him away from doing something he might regret, like throwing a punch.

Stewart broke away from those who were trying to hold him back, and it took some time before they were able to get him back to the bench and await the official ruling of his ejection.

Though no punches were thrown, the Pistons PA announcer repeatedly reminded the crowd to stay in their seat as the situation was reminiscent of the early moments of the Malice at the Palace.

James received his second career ejection as he was assessed a flagrant-two violation, while Stewart was also ejected after getting two technical fouls for his troubles.

While some would agree that James deserved the suspension, many others would argue that he deserved to have more games taken away from him, or at least equal Stewart’s two-game suspension.

The NBA most likely saw that Stewart’s actions had more weight to it since he became the main aggressor after James repeatedly tried to apologize to him directly after the hit.

Without James, the Lakers will have a tough matchup against the seventh-seeded New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Read the full statement from the NBA as relayed by Bontemps below.