LeBron loses cool after punch to Stewart’s eye

Los Angeles Lakers megastar LeBron James was ejected from a basketball game for only the second time in his career after swinging at the eye of Detroit Pistons’ center Isaiah Stewart.

It was an incident that resulted in both sets of players having to be separated and as a result, James was sent from the court.

Stewart, though, was also dismissed after losing his temper and attempting to retaliate against James and other Lakers players.

 

Disciplinary decision pending

Although it is not yet clear whether there will be any disciplinary action against James, any kind of suspension will be the last thing that the Lakers want after a mixed start to the season.

Despite trailing at the time of the incident, by 78-66, the Lakers managed to rally, inspiring a comeback with the game finishing 121-116.

Should there be a suspension it is unlikely that it will be any more than three games, with this even potentially viewed to be excessive by some.

 

James publicly defended

Following the game, there are many that believe James’ actions were not deliberate and that he was simply trying to defend the ball.

James’ teammate Anthony Davis said after the match “Stewart tried to defend LeBron, ‘Bron did the same thing. Everyone in the league knows ‘Bron not a dirty guy, he didn’t mean to hit him. As soon as he did, he looked back at him, told him “Oh, my bad, I didn’t try to do it. .

Davis though was highly critical of Stewart for his reaction to being hit, after he repeatedly tried to charge at James, having to be restrained on multiple occasions.

” I’ve never, in 10 years, seen a player try to do that, what he tried to do,” Davis explained.

“It’s uncalled for, you got a cut above your eye, accidental, it wasn’t like it was on purpose.”