The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James got a couple of fans tossed from his team’s overtime win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night following his return from serving a one-game suspension for punching a player in the face earlier this week.
“It’s not entirely clear what got LeBron upset,” CBS Sports reported. “There was no obvious incident like throwing an object or coming on the court, so you’d have to guess that one of the fans said something.”
Sports Illustrated noted that James “actually led the referees to the fans to show them who should be ejected.”
WATCH:
LeBron unhappy with some fans courtside in Indiana pic.twitter.com/1Ud3B69G1E
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 25, 2021
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
“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 remarks that he makes, or topics he chooses not to talk about, while off the court.
James 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.”
This report has been updated to include additional information.