NBA: LeBron, Stewart Suspended for Roles in Bloody Fracas

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was suspended one game without pay and Detroit Pistons centre Isaiah Stewart was suspended two games without pay following a bloody fracas on Sunday, the league announced yesterday.

James missed yesterday’s nationally televised game against the New York Knicks. It’s the first suspension in his 19-year career.

Wile Stewart also missed Tuesday’s home game against the Miami Heat and tonight’s game at the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Lakers and Pistons will meet Sunday at Staples Center.

Stewart was suspended for what the NBA deemed was “escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing” James “in an unsportsmanlike manner.” James was suspended “for recklessly hitting Stewart in the face and initiating an on-court altercation.”

James was ejected after his elbow and what appeared to be his fist connected with Stewart, beginning an altercation where Stewart repeatedly charged James.

The two got tangled up on a free throw in the third quarter of Sunday’s 121-116 Lakers win before James made contact with Stewart’s face, drawing blood. Stewart, a second-year centre, got in James’ face in the aftermath before players on both sides had to be separated.