The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James was ejected from his team’s 121-116 win against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night following a play that resulted in another player having their eye cut open.
James was ejected after “striking Detroit big man Isaiah Stewart in the face while jostling for rebounding position,” ESPN reported. “The hit led to a stoppage in action while Stewart, with blood streaming 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,” the report added. “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.”
“It was a tough play with Isaiah,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “His eye got cracked all the way open, and he was upset for a reason.”
Weak minded hate crime hoaxer and ANTIFA pedophile admirer @KingJames throws sucker punch. What a complete lowlife and overall punk – and yes I’d say it “man to man” to you.
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) November 22, 2021
ISAIAH STEWART WANTS LEBRON pic.twitter.com/gw6u84Pqr6
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 22, 2021
Isaiah Stewart running after LeBron pic.twitter.com/wb23SyWYle
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) November 22, 2021
LeBron was ejected after the Lakers-Pistons game got physical.
It's his second career ejection. pic.twitter.com/upt5lWjKIQ
— ESPN (@espn) November 22, 2021
“Never seen anything remotely that dirty from LeBron James,” sports commentator Skip Bayless said. “It was the equivalent of hitting Stewart with his fist. Lotta blood. Just a shocking reaction by LeBron, who then spread his hands, moved toward Stewart like he didn’t mean it. Stewart wasn’t having it. Can’t blame him.”
James is often in the news for controversial political statements that he makes while off the court, including a couple of recent incidents.
“What tears????? I didn’t see one,” James tweeted earlier this month while mocking Kyle Rittenhouse during Rittenhouse’s trial. “Man knock it off! That boy ate some lemon heads before walking into court.”
Notable responses to James’ tweet included:
- Ben Shapiro, The Daily Wire: “Lebron, great defender of the Chinese government’s tyranny, also happens to be an unparalleled dumpster fire in the field of criminal justice.”
- Stephen Miller, political commentator: “He’s crying because he had to shoot someone and take a life in self defense. You cried because you got a cramp.”
- Rita Panahi, Australian political commentator: “Figured out what’s happening in Hong Kong yet? Or to the Uyghurs in Chinese concentration camps? Didn’t think so.”
James also recently dismissed criticism from Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter over James’ lack of criticism over the atrocities committed by the communist Chinese government.
“Money over Morals for the ‘King’ Crown. Sad & disgusting how these athletes pretend they care about social justice,” Kanter said, referring to James. “They really do ‘shut up & dribble’ when Big Boss [Flag of China] says so. Did you educate yourself about the slave labor that made your shoes or is that not part of your research?”
On one of Kanter’s shoes, James was seen kneeling while a crown was placed on his head by what appeared to be an illustration of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
James was later asked about the shoes, to which James responded, “No, I think if you know me, I don’t really give too many people my energy.”
“He’s definitely not someone I would give my energy to. [He’s] trying to use my name to create an opportunity for himself. Definitely won’t comment too much on that,” James said. “He’s always had a word or two to say in my direction, and as a man, if you’ve got an issue with somebody, you really come up to him. He had his opportunity tonight. I seen him in the hallway, and he walked right by me.”
Related: LeBron James Blasted After Mocking Kyle Rittenhouse: ‘You Cried Because You Got A Cramp’