LeBron James and Isaiah Stewart’s heated clash on November 21, 2021, overshadowed an intense Lakers-Pistons matchup. The scuffle broke out in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena when LeBron, boxing out for a rebound, struck Stewart in the face with his left elbow and hand.
Bloodied and furious, Stewart repeatedly charged at James, breaking free from teammates and officials. He even tried sneaking back onto the court from the tunnel. The scene sparked comparisons to the 2004 Pistons-Pacers brawl, but security and team staff contained it. After reviewing the incident, the NBA suspended Stewart for two games for chasing after James. Meanwhile, LeBron received a one-game ban for “recklessly hitting” Stewart, per AS.
Isaiah Stewart loses his mind at LeBron. 😯
— theScore (@theScore) November 22, 2021
(🎥: @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/mvcayg7Wh1
Anthony Davis shed some light on the James-Stewart incident, saying:
“Everyone in the league knows LeBron isn’t a dirty guy,” Davis said. “As soon as he did it, he looked back and told him, ‘My bad.'”
“I don’t know what he was trying to do but I know nobody on our team, 1-15, was having it. We going to protect our brother.”
2 YEARS AGO TODAY
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 21, 2023
Isaiah Stewart goes after LeBron
AD: "I don't know what he was trying to do but I know nobody on our team, 1-15, was having it. We going to protect our brother."
pic.twitter.com/1Edc8XIUEM
Pistons coach Dwane Casey felt Stewart’s ejection was enough punishment. Meanwhile, Westbrook picked up a technical foul for being an “escalator” in the incident.
Although, the Lakers pulled off a comeback, overcoming a 15-point deficit to win 121-116. They trailed 99-84 entering the fourth but surged back to take control.
However, the clash between James and Stewart marked one of the most intense moments in NBA history.
Isaiah Stewart stood by his belief that LeBron James hit him on purpose
Isaiah Stewart broke his silence on the altercation with LeBron James, speaking publicly for the first time since his two-game suspension.
James never addressed the situation immediately. Instead, he returned to the court against the Pacers, where he hit the game-winner but drew criticism for having two fans ejected. Afterward, he said he agreed with the suspensions and maintained that the hit was unintentional.
James tried to reach out to Stewart after the game, to explain that the hit was unintentional, per Shams Charania.
LeBron tried to get Isaiah Stewart’s phone number last night to tell him the hit was inadvertent, per @ShamsCharania https://t.co/m5u6lkAjIj pic.twitter.com/7X27jpQCUV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 22, 2021
A week later, after the Pistons’ 107-96 loss to the Clippers, Stewart finally spoke. Stewart on his infamous confrontation with LeBron James:
“I watched the film. Me personally, I didn’t feel like it was an accident,” Stewart said. “But it’s my last time addressing it. My main focus right now is on my team and my teammates, getting back to playing basketball.”
Isaiah Stewart says he 'didn't feel like' LeBron's hit was an accident. 😳 https://t.co/0NVUIQ0fHX pic.twitter.com/MHEttVGSg5
— theScore (@theScore) November 27, 2021
Stewart stood by his belief that James hit him on purpose but made it clear he was ready to move on. His focus, Pistons power forward said, is on his team, his game, and proving why Detroit drafted him – not on a single moment.
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I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
