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Watch: Metta World Peace recalls breaking Michael Jordan's ribs

Joe Giza / Reuters

Metta World Peace once broke Michael Jordan's ribs during a pickup game, he revealed Tuesday in a Facebook Live interview with Molly Qerim of "Mike and Mike."

The incident took place in 2001 when World Peace, then known as Ron Artest, was playing for the Chicago Bulls and Jordan was about to make his comeback with the Washington Wizards after sitting out for three seasons.

"So I was in a summer gym," World Peace said. "R. Kelly would be there sometimes with Jordan, (Charles) Barkley was there a couple times with a lot of other NBA players. It was really good games, tougher than NBA games - rough, tough competition.

"Jordan was posting me up. So I was trying to deny him because when Jordan gets the ball, there's nothing you can do. He's going to score. So I was trying to deny him and then he was like holding me, so I kind of tried to lift his arm up with my right hand and I accidentally hit him in the ribs with my elbow and then I accidentally broke his ribs."

Jordan had to take three months off afterward, which World Peace said he felt terrible about.

"That hurt me a lot because I’m an MJ fan," he said. "I love Jordan. I love his defense more than his offense, and for me to be a part of something like that, that stuck with me for a long time."

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