League suspends four players indefinitely for roles in brawl

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The fallout was swift from one of the worst brawls in U.S. sports history that brought the Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons basketball game to an ugly end Friday night.

Four players were given indefinite suspensions Saturday and security at The Palace will be raised to playoff levels for the foreseeable future.

From the Pacers, Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal were suspended, as was the Pistons’ Ben Wallace. The final length of the suspensions will be determined Sunday night, after the league concludes its investigations, but NBA officials are speculating that Artest could get as many as 30 games, with Wallace getting 10.

There could also be criminal actions as well as lawsuits filed by the fans against the players and The Palace. Police still were sifting through videotapes and interviewing fans on Saturday and said it still could take a week to wrap up their investigation.

“The events of (Friday’s) game were shocking, repulsive and inexcusable, a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA,” said NBA commissioner David Stern, in a statement released Saturday. “This demonstrates why our players must not enter the stands, whatever the provocation or poisonous behavior of the people attending the game.”

Artest and Jackson both entered the stands and fought with fans. Several other players went into the stands (Rasheed Wallace from the Pistons and Fred Jones and David Harrison from the Pacers) to act as peacemakers. Jones was slugged by one of Ben Wallace’s brothers.

O’Neal and Artest also fought with fans who had rushed them on the court. Police, at one point, threatened to spray Artest with mace, but opted against it.

Nine people were treated for minor injuries, two were taken to the hospital (both have since been released). Two members of The Palace security force sustained broken fingers.

Tom Wilson, president of Palace Sports and Entertainment, said security would be bolstered for the next several home games.

Wallace stuck up for the Pistons fans.

“The criticism of our fans is undeserved. We play basketball. We have 94 feet of hardwood out there to run up and down on and settle our business. Fans stay off the floor and we’ve got to stay out of the stands. Once you go into the stands, you are really crossing the line.”

Then Wallace fired off one more shot at Artest.

“Regardless of what people say about somebody throwing a beer on the floor, whatever. You don’t go in the stands and attack no fan.”