Years after a viral on-court altercation, Isaiah Stewart remains convinced that a physical encounter with LeBron James was intentional.
The incident occurred in 2021 during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons when James struck Stewart in the face while fighting for rebound positioning.
The blow left Stewart bleeding and sparked an intense confrontation that resulted in both players receiving suspensions from the NBA, according to ESPN.
While James later apologized and insisted the contact was accidental, Stewart recently offered a different perspective on the Out The Mud Podcast.
Stewart described his reaction upon seeing his own blood, stating, “I just blacked, and I wanted to draw blood back.”
The former Pistons player remains steadfast in his belief regarding the nature of the foul.
He told listeners, “Till this day I always say 100%, I know it was personal.”
The altercation caused a significant delay as officials and teammates attempted to separate the two players.
Stewart recalled his attempts to reach James after he had been sent to the locker room for treatment, noting that he was eventually calmed down by Pistons executive Troy Weaver.
The league ultimately disciplined both athletes for their roles in the heated exchange.
James received a one-game suspension for recklessly striking his opponent, while Stewart was sidelined for two games for his aggressive pursuit of the Lakers star, per official NBA reporting.
The two players have since moved to different teams, with Stewart now playing for the Memphis Grizzlies and James currently competing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite the passage of time, the history between the two players is expected to serve as a primary storyline when their teams face off this December.
The incident remains one of the most discussed altercations in recent league history, highlighting the lasting tension between the competitors.