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3 Pacers, 1 Piston Indefinitely Suspended For Basketbrawl

Pistons-Pacers Melee Spurs Police Probe

POSTED: 8:34 pm PST November 19, 2004
UPDATED: 7:23 pm PST November 20, 2004

The NBA Players' Association is apologizing to fans for last night's brawl during the Pistons-Pacers game.

"No one can condone the level of incitement and violence we all witnessed. Clearly, there's a need to institute measures and safeguards to improve the safety of players and fans alike, to ensure that an incident like this never occurs again," said G. William Hunter, executive director of the NBA players' association.

The NBA has suspended Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson of Indiana and Ben Wallace of Detroit indefinitely for their roles in the Pacers-Pistons brawl last night.

Full Statement: NBA Announces Player Suspensions

NBA Commissioner David Stern called the brawl "shocking, repulsive and inexcusable." The Oakland County prosecutors office is reviewing videotapes of the incident after police questioned witnesses. Authorities plan to talk to the players involved.

Video

Police say about a half-dozen people have been treated for injuries after a fight between Detroit Piston fans and Indiana players.

Most were treated at the Pistons' home arena, while two went to a local hospital.

Michigan police are talking to witnesses and reviewing videotape, and officers also plan to talk to the players involved.

An Auburn Hills deputy chief said police hope to present the case to prosecutors "before Thanksgiving." He said the Oakland County Prosecutors Office will then decide whether to file charges.

He added that there are no signs of major injuries so far.

The Pacers led a seemingly calm game by 15 points with 45 seconds left and then things unraveled. Detroit's Ben Wallace was fouled by Artest and the Pistons center took exception to what he deemed a hard foul and gave Artest a two-handed push to the face.

After that, the fighting continued by the scorers' table as players came off both benches to continue the melee on the court.

The Detroit fans then lost all control and began throwing cups filled with liquid and ice at Artest, who was surprisingly staying out of harm's way on top of the scorers' table. Artest was hit in the head with a flying cup and immediately raced into the stands where he started punching the culprit.

"I love fans to be involved and cheer, but to throw things, that's not what our fans are like. There is no place for that for anybody," said Detroit head coach Larry Brown.

Indiana guard Stephen Jackson followed into the crowd, along with several Pacer players, and started swinging away at the unruly fans.

After security tried to get the players out of the crowd, the game was called with 45 seconds remaining. However, the fighting was not over as Detroit fans continued to pelt the Pacers as the players were being escorted into the locker room.

The players and coaches were finally able to make it into the tunnel, but not before all tempers were lost.

"I'm just embarrassed for our league and having our players be a part of this," said Brown.

  SURVEY
A game between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers ended in a fight between players and fans. Should criminal charges be filed?

This was the first game between these two teams since last year's Eastern Conference championship. The Pistons won last year's series 4-2 before eventually winning the NBA title.

Indiana will next visit Motown on March 25 and hosts the Pistons on Christmas Day.

Jermaine O'Neal, who was also involved in a fight on his way to the locker room, scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won three straight games. O'Neal apparently knocked a fan out cold after being hit with a foreign object and charges might be pressed on the All-Star.

"We got a lot of guys injured and we'll have to see because we have guys that got banged up (in the fight)," said Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle.

Carlisle said he "felt like he was fighting for his life." Pistons coach Larry Brown said "there's going to be a lot of ramifications" from the brawl.

Detroit coach Larry Brown took to the microphone to implore the crowd to behave. But the rowdy scene continued and both teams eventually went to the locker room. Indiana was leading 97-82 when the game was called.

Carlisle said he has never "seen or been involved in anything like this" in his 20-year basketball career. But he adds "Our guys tried to show a lot of restraint."

The Pacers left the Palace under heavy police protection.

Pistons fans took some flack for the brawl, with at least one commentator calling them a "bunch of punks.

"It's easy to throw beer on top of somebody who's already down. It's easy to throw a punch at somebody when you're behind them," ESPN commentator John Saunders said. "Show us that you're not a sissy. Just do it right. It just makes me mad. It's ridiculous. It's the worst thing I've ever seen."

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