Palace Revolt

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. —  Fists were flying. So were cups, plastic bottles and even a chair in one of the ugliest NBA brawls ever -- and Indiana’s Ron Artest was right in the middle of it.

Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands and fought with fans in the final minute of their game against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, and the brawl forced an early end to the Pacers’ 97-82 victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Officials stopped the game with 45.9 seconds remaining after pushing and shoving between the teams spilled into the stands once fans got involved by throwing things at the players near the scorer’s table.

“It’s the ugliest thing I’ve seen as a coach or player,” said Piston Coach Larry Brown, who was in the middle of the confrontation, trying to break it up.

After several minutes of players fighting with fans in the stands, a chair, beer, ice, and popcorn were thrown at the Pacers as they made their way to the locker room.

“I felt like I was fighting for my life out there,” Pacer Coach Rick Carlisle said. “I’ve been around 20 years and I’ve never seen or been involved in anything quite like that.”

The Palace announcer said the game was being stopped and pleaded with fans not to throw things.

The NBA had no immediate comment.

Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA Players Assn., called the situation ugly.

“It’s almost like we’re getting hooligans like they have in European soccer,” Hunter said.

It all started when Detroit’s Ben Wallace went in for a layup and was fouled hard by Artest from behind, and escalated when Artest stormed into the stands after being hit by a full cup.

After being fouled, Wallace wheeled around and pushed Artest in the face. The benches emptied and punches were thrown.

As the players continued shoving each other near center court and coaches tried to restore order, Artest sprawled on his back on the scorer’s table, looking relaxed.

Just when it appeared tempers had died down, Artest was struck by a cup and beverage thrown from the stands. He jumped up, and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats.

Fans were punching back, and Jackson and another teammate joined Artest in the melee.

Security personnel and ushers tried to break up the fighting. Former Piston player Rick Mahorn, who was seated courtside as a Detroit radio analyst, tried to stop the brawl in the stands.

Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace and Indiana’s David Harrison were also in or near the stands. Both were trying to break up the fights.

Later, a man in a Piston jersey approached Artest on the court with fists clenched, shouting at him. Artest punched him in the face, knocking the man to the floor before leaving the court. Artest was pulled away. Jermaine O’Neal then came in and punched another man.

Piston President Tom Wilson told ESPN there was plenty of security in the building.

“When you go into the crowd nothing good can happen,” Wilson said.

Players from both teams left the arena without comment.

Quentin Richardson of the Phoenix Suns watched the brawl on television.

“I have never seen a fight like that in a game since I was in high school,” he said. “Man, there are going to be some lawsuits. You don’t think some of those fans aren’t going to want some NBA money?”

Lamar Odom of the Lakers, a friend of Artest, saw it as he was being interviewed.

“Whoooo. When you see things like that, just think about what it takes for NBA players to go into a crowd,” Odom said. “Sometimes fans get kind of out of hand, but it must have taken a lot for NBA players to go into a crowd and start a fight.”

Said Brown: “I’m just embarrassed for our league and disappointed for our young people to see that.”

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Bloomberg News contributed to this report.