LeBron James and Isaiah Stewart were ejected for an altercation as the Los Angeles Lakers came from 17 points down to defeat the Detroit Pistons 121-116.
LA’s James appeared to strike the Pistons centre Isaiah Stewart in the face as they battled for a rebound, leaving him with a large cut near his right eye.
Stewart then repeatedly had to be held back by team-mates and coaching staff as he tried to retaliate.
Both players were then ejected from the game after an official review.
The ejection – which took place in the third quarter of the game – was only the second of James’ 19-year NBA career.
“Everyone in the league knows LeBron’s not a dirty guy,” said James’ Lakers team-mate Anthony Davis. “In fact, when he knew he hit him, as soon as he did it, he looked back at him like, ‘Oh, my bad. I didn’t try to do it’.”
Davis top-scored for the Lakers with 30 points and Russell Westbrook added 26 as the Lakers came back from 17 points down in the second half.
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