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LeBron James Ejected After Bloody Fight Involving Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart

DETROIT (AP) — Lebron James was ejected from the Detroit Pistons-Los Angeles Lakers game on Nov. 12 after drawing blood from Isaiah Stewart's face, leaving his teammates to pick up the slack.

Anthony Davis had 30 points, 10 rebounds, and two big blocked shots late on rookie Cade Cunningham. Russell Westbrook contributed 26 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-116 comeback victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 21: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons is restrained as he goes after LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game at Little Caesars Arena on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The 20-year-old Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to become the youngest player in franchise history with a triple-double.

"Everybody's level went up when LB came out," Davis said.

James' night ended after his left elbow and hand appeared to make contact with Stewart's face while boxing out for a rebound.

Stewart, Detroit's center, had to be held back to keep him separated from James. Both of them were ejected.

"I don't think he should be facing anything from the league," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. "He didn't get off the floor in time, and the league will have to decide about that, and I thought that was why he was ejected from the game. "

Westbrook was assessed a technical after the officials reviewed the play and the fallout from it, determining he was an "escalator," while there was pushing, shoving and trash talking.

All parties were relieved that an all-out melee wasn't witnessed as it was on Nov. 19, 2004, when the Pistons and Indiana Pacers had a brawl that spilled into the stands.

Davis praised players, coaches and security for keeping the peace.

"Everybody did a great job trying to deescalate the situation," he said. "You never want it to get to that point like 17 years ago."

After calm was restored on Sunday night, Detroit closed the third quarter strong and led 99-84 entering the fourth.

"Up and until that point, we're still trying to figure each other out," Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel said.

Westbrook and Davis both scored in double figures in the final quarter, leading a rally that gave the Lakers a win to reach .500 this season.

Detroit had the ball with 5.9 seconds left with the chance to potentially tie the game, but Hamidou Diallo turned the ball over and Davis made free throws to seal the victory.

"We had 27 assists going into the fourth quarter, which put us in a position to win, but we stopped moving the ball," Casey said. "We didn't have a single assist in the fourth quarter."

James had 10 points and five assists in his second game back in the lineup. After missing eight games with an abdominal strain, he played Friday night in a 130-108 loss at Boston.

"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.'"

© 2021 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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