DETROIT — LeBron James was ejected from the Los Angeles Lakers’ 121-116 win over the Pistons on Sunday for striking Detroit big man Isaiah Stewart in the face while jostling for rebounding position.
The hit led to a stoppage in action while Stewart, with blood coming down his face, had to be held back multiple times by Detroit personnel as he tried to confront James. The incident occurred with 9:18 remaining in the third quarter and the Lakers trailing 79-67.
Stewart was initially whistled for a loose ball foul on the play. Following an official review, James was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and ejected, Stewart was assessed two technical fouls and ejected and Lakers guard Russell Westbrook was called for a technical foul.
Stewart required five stitches after the game, according to the team.
After the game, crew chief Scott Foster said they deemed Westbrook to be “an escalator and not a peace maker” as the reason for the technical. Foster also said Stewart was assessed two technical fouls for “multiple unsportsmanlike acts during the altercation.”
“Everyone in the league knows LeBron isn’t a dirty guy,” Anthony Davis said. “As soon as he did it, he looked back and told him, ‘My bad.'”
The ejection was just the second of James’ 19-year career. The first came on Nov. 28, 2017, against the Miami Heat. James and Stewart were not made available for comment after the game.
“I don’t think James is a dirty player, but Stew cut his eye,” Detroit coach Dwane Casey said. “He felt like he had been cheap-shotted across the brow. I’m not even sure he knew who hit him.”
L.A. entered the fourth quarter down by 15 points but mounted a comeback to improve to 9-9 on the season. Its five-game road trip continues with games Tuesday against the New York Knicks and Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.
“To me, it’s one of the things that can change the momentum of your season,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said of his team’s response after James’ ejection.
Detroit fell to 4-12 with the…
Source : espn
