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LeBron James Recounts 2021 On-Court Chase by Isaiah Stewart

LeBron's remarks at Fanatics Fest on July 17 place the old scuffle inside the larger story of Stewart's move to Memphis and LeBron's free-agent process.

Overview

  • LeBron James spoke on July 17 during a live episode of The Shop at Fanatics Fest and joked that Isaiah Stewart “chased the” him after a 2021 on-court incident.
  • The original episode occurred on Nov. 21, 2021, when LeBron’s arm struck Stewart while boxing out on a free throw, opening a cut above Stewart’s eye and triggering a chase across the court.
  • Game officials ejected both players after the confrontation and the NBA later suspended Stewart for two games for aggressively pursuing LeBron and suspended LeBron for one game for recklessly striking Stewart.
  • Stewart was traded in June 2026 to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for three future second-round draft picks, a move that helped Detroit clear roughly $15 million in cap space.
  • The exchange highlights how a rare ejection in LeBron’s long career remains part of each player’s public narrative as LeBron weighs free-agent options and Stewart prepares for a new role in Memphis.