WATCH: Isaiah Stewart restrained after scuffle with LeBron James
Detroit Pistons center and former Washington basketball star Isaiah Stewart received a technical foul after repeatedly going after Los Angeles Lakers players, including LeBron James, in the aftermath of a flagrant two foul.
Midway through the third quarter of Sunday’s game between the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers, a made free throw turned into a mid-court altercation when LeBron James elbowed Isaiah Stewart outside the lane.
With blood dripping down his face, Stewart confronted James. As coaching staff and teammates rushed to separate the players, the second-year star continued his pursuit. He fought through the grasp of coaches multiple times, including once after exchanging words with Lakers center DeAndre Jordan.
Isaiah Stewart has just four points and one rebound in 19 minutes, well below his 7.5 and 7.5 average.
More about Isaiah Stewart
Isaiah Stewart is a 6-foot-8 center from Rochester, New York. He was a McDonald’s All-American and Mr. Basketball USA winner, as well as Naismith Prep Player of the Year winner in 2019. He has also played for Team USA at the FIBA World U17 Cup, where he won gold.
As a consensus five-star recruit, Stewart chose Washington over Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State and Syracuse. His long-standing relationship with Huskies coach Mike Hopkins, which dated back several years, was cited as the primary reason for his cross-country decision.
In one season at Washington, he averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. After earning All-Pac-12 first team and Freshman team honors, Stewart declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.
Stewart went No. 16 overall to the Detroit Pistons, who selected French guard Killian Hayes at No. 7 and later took Villanova forward Saddiq Bey at No. 19 overall. Combined with 2020 second-round selection Saben Lee and 2021’s No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, the Pistons young core has emerged as one of the NBA’s most interesting rebuilds.
In 2020, Stewart received NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors for his 7.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game during the season. In year two, his numbers remain consistent.
Despite early optimism about the future of its young stars, the Detroit Pistons continue to struggle. After posting a 20-52 record in 2020-21, last in the Eastern Conference, they won the NBA draft lottery. This season the Pistons are 4-11, still last in the Eastern Conference. Despite losses, the team’s young core promises to keep fans interested all season.