Major protagonists of the big clash between Pistons and Lakers, LeBron James and Isaiah Stewart were waiting for the sentence to fall. It is now done, and the two men are suspended by the NBA.
After the shock, the sanctions. Struck by a scene that sparked a “light” comparison with the famous Malice at the Palace, the NBA quickly reacted by announcing around midnight its decision concerning the stakeholders of the fight that took place in the loss of the Pistons to the Lakers.
If a punishment was mandatory for Isaiah Stewart, who went crazy after the nudge that struck him LeBron James, the King’s status was more uncertain – some thought he would escape patrol altogether. In the end, that was not the case, since the two men were suspended, as relayed by insider Shams Charania.
League punishes Stewart most severely, LeBron affected too
LeBron James has been suspended one game and Isaiah Stewart receives two-game suspension for roles in altercation during Lakers-Pistons.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 22, 2021
LeBron James has been suspended for one game and Isaiah Stewart receives a two-game suspension for their respective roles in the altercation during Lakers vs Pistons.
The statement released by the NBA itself for the occasion explains in detail the motivations that prompted the league to punish both Stewart and James:
Pistons pivot Isaiah Stewart was suspended two games without pay for escalating an altercation on the floor by repeatedly and aggressively chasing Lakers winger LeBron James in an anti-sporting manner. James was suspended from a game without pay for severely punching Stewart in the face and initiating an altercation on the field, said Byron Spruell, the league’s president of operations.
These penalties are in addition to those already recorded on the evening of the match (flagrant 2 for LeBron, double technical fault for Stewart). Russell Westbrook also received a technical foul for his role in escalating the confusion. James will therefore be suspended for his annual visit to Madison Square Garden against the Knicks.
2 games for Isaiah Stewart, 1 for LeBron James: the two men are guilty in the eyes of the NBA, which has distilled rather fair penalties in view of what happened.
