LeBron: Incident with Pistons didn't warrant suspension

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James didn't agree with the NBA's decision to suspend him for a game for his role in the chaotic altercation with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

"I thought it warranted an ejection because of what happened after that - having me probably still in the game, and the excitement from fans, what could possibly happen after that, obviously," James told reporters Wednesday after a 124-116 win over the Indiana Pacers, courtesy of Kyle Goon of Southern California News Group. "But a suspension, I didn't think it was warranted. But the league made that call."

James was jostling for rebounding position against Pistons center Isaiah Stewart during a free throw when his hand suddenly struck Stewart's face, causing Stewart to bleed from a cut near his eye. In the aftermath, an incensed Stewart attempted to charge at James on multiple occasions as Pistons staff and players from both teams repeatedly intervened to keep them apart.

The four-time MVP said Wednesday that the contact was accidental and he immediately tried to apologize to Stewart, but to no avail.

Stewart received a two-game ban for the incident, while James was forced to sit out the Lakers' loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday, the team's only trip this season to Madison Square Garden. It was the first time the Lakers forward had ever been suspended and just the second time in his career he'd been ejected from a game.

The Pistons and Lakers will face off again Sunday in Los Angeles.