Better known for its high-flying action, big dunks and buzzer beaters, there have been moments when tempers flared and some pretty brutal fights erupted on the court.
Biggest NBA Fights
Here, we take a look at some of the biggest fights in NBA history, which have left lasting impressions on the sport.
The Malice at the Palace (2004)
Perhaps the most notorious fight in NBA history, the “Malice at the Palace” occurred on November 19, 2004, during a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The fighting started when Pacers’ Ron Artest (now known as Metta Sandiford-Artest) fouled Pistons’ Ben Wallace hard, leading to a tussle between the players.
The situation escalated when a fan threw a drink at Artest, who then charged into the stands, igniting a massive brawl involving bioth the Pacers players and Detroit fans.
The incident resulted in some huge suspensions, including a season-long ban for Artest, and highlighted the need for stricter security measures at games.
Larry Bird vs. Dr. J (1984)
On November 9, 1984, two NBA legends, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics and Julius Erving (Dr. J) of the Philadelphia 76ers, found themselves in an intense altercation. The fight began after Bird scored several points in rapid succession, prompting trash talk between the two superstars.
The situation escalated when Bird and Erving exchanged punches, leading to a full-blown fight that saw both players being fined and ejected. This brawl between two of the league’s most iconic players underscored the intense rivalry between their teams.
Isaiah Stewart vs. LeBron James
James and Stewart got tangled up during free throw positioning, leading to James striking Stewart in the face.
The hit left Stewart bloodied and enraged.
Isaiah Stewart’s reaction was intense.
As his teammates, coaches, and officials tried to restrain him, he broke free like an NFL running back charging at James. Both players were ejected from the game. Remarkably, the incident seemed to ignite a fire in the Lakers, who rallied to win the game 121-116. Stewart’s fury and James’ swing had set the court ablaze.
Kareem KO’s Kent Benson (1977)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retaliated against Kent Benson after taking an elbow to the stomach. Benson, the 1st overall pick, was just two minutes into his first NBA game. Welcome to the NBA.
During the 1977 NBA season opener, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took an elbow to the stomach and retaliated by rocking Kent Benson. This incident happened just two minutes into #1 overall pick Benson’s NBA career. Welcome to the big leagues!
Kareem was fined $5,000 for the punch. He also broke his hand in the process, leading to the only time in his 20-year career that he did not make the All-Star Team.
Charles Barkley vs. Shaquille O’Neal (1999)
On November 10, 1999, during a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers, two of the league’s most dominant personalities, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, clashed in a fight of tw NBA giants.
The altercation began when O’Neal fouled Barkley hard, leading to Barkley throwing the ball at O’Neal. The two giants then engaged in a brief but intense scuffle before being separated. The incident resulted in fines and suspensions for both players.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat (1997)
The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat in the late 1990s was one of the most heated in NBA history. On May 14, 1997, during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, a massive brawl erupted following a hard foul by the Heat’s P.J. Brown on the Knicks’ Charlie Ward.
The fight spilled into the stands and saw multiple players from both teams suspended, severely impacting the series’ outcome.
Kobe Bryant vs. Chris Childs (2000)
On April 2, 2000, during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, Kobe Bryant and Chris Childs were involved in a heated exchange that led to a physical altercation.
After trading elbows, Childs threw a two-punch combination at Bryant, leading to a brief fight before the players were separated. Both players received suspensions, and the incident highlighted the intensity of competition even among the league’s top players.
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