November 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, United States; Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) has blood around his right eye after an argument with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (not pictured) during the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 22 (Reuters) – Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James attempted to trace Isaiah Stewart’s phone number so he could apologize for hitting Pistons’ center in the face with a swing arm wandering in Sunday’s game, The Athletic reported on Monday.

The incident led to a bloodied Stewart getting angry and ended with the expulsion of both players from the game in Detroit, which the Lakers won 121-116. The league is considering whether to impose additional penalties on players. Read more

“I was told LeBron James tried to track down Isaiah Stewart’s number after the game to apologize again to Stewart and let him know it was an inadvertent blow to his face,” said Athletic reporter Shams Charania on “The Pat McAfee Show”.

James, 36, a four-time NBA champion, is in his 19th NBA season and was only sent off from another game of his career in November 2017 against the Miami Heat.

Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said Stewart, 20, had eight stitches and was hoping the center wouldn’t be suspended for repeatedly trying to face James after the incident.

Reporting by Rory Carroll in San Francisco; Editing by Ken Ferris

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