‘Most disgraceful in league history’ – Brutal NBA brawl led to $11 million fines and 155 games of suspensions

May 3, 2026 - 15:45

It is very common across the world of sports that fights break out, but it’s very uncommon that they get their own name.

An NBA brawl, now more famously known as ‘Malice at the Palace’ erupted in a game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons.

General view of Game six of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Palace of Auburn Hills on June 1, 2004 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Pistons won 69-65. — The famous ‘Malice at the Palace’ brawl took place on 19 November, 2004

The fight was labeled as the ‘most disgraceful in league history’ by the Associated Press, and resulted in fines, suspensions and even an entire documentary that was released on Netflix in 2021.

The game, at the Palace of Auburn Hills, had been relatively calm throughout. But, with 45.9 seconds left, the tone of the game massively changed.

With the score at 97-82 in favour of the Pacers, Pistons center Ben Wallace attempted a layup shot during the final minute but was fouled from behind by Pacers Ron Artest.

Wallace, clearly enraged, shoved Artest and a fight broke out, which didn’t initially last too long.

What caused malice at the Palace?

After the players were separated, game officials were discussing consequences of the spat. Artest was lying on the scorers table pending an interview when things escalated.

A Pistons fan by the name of John Green hit him with a drink, thrown from several rows up in the stands.

Artest charged into the crowd, and mistakenly grabbed another fan, Michael Ryan, who he thought he had thrown the drink.

Several Pacers players followed him into the stands, and it quickly escalated into a large brawl that felt like no-one was safe.

The game was never completed after a big police presence was called to the venue to restore order and later, allow the Pacers to safely leave the building.

The players quickly knew they were going to be in trouble for their actions. In the years after the brawl, Pacers Stephen Jackson revealed a conversation he had with Artest.

Ben Wallace #3 of the Detroit Pistons and teammates are kept apart from Ron Artest #91 of the Indiana Pacers by Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and official Tommy Nunez Jr. on November 19, 2004 during their game at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. — The initial brawl between Wallace and Artest didn’t last too long, but things escalated quickly afterwards

Ron Artest of the Indiana Pacers #91 is shown on the court during a melee involving fans during a game against the Detroit Pistons November 19, 2004 at the Palace of Auburn Hills, in Auburn Hills, Michigan. — Artest charged into the stands after a fan threw a drink at him

“After we calmed down, [Artest] looked at me like, ‘Jack, you think we are going to get in trouble?’ Jackson recalled, via The Grantland.

“Jamall Tinsley fell out laughing. I said, ‘Are you serious, bro? Trouble? Ron, we’ll be lucky if we have a freaking job.”

The team were hit with very harsh punishments as a result of the brawl. While today’s NBA, led by Adam Silver, focuses on fouls for taunting, the 2004 era, led by David Stern, focused on dealing brutal punishments to clean up the league.

Artest received a 73-game suspension, resulting in $5,288,545 in lost salary for his involvement, while Jackson was suspended for 30 games and lost close to $2 million.

Jermaine O’Neal was suspended for 25 games and lost $4,510,975, though this was later reduced to 15 games and $2,706,585.

Ben Wallace was out 6 games and $439,024, Anthony Johnson got 5 games and $120,000 and Reggie Miller lost $60,000.

Many of those involved in the fight were hit with criminal charges as a result of the violent nature of the brawl.

O’Neal faced two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery, while teammates Artest, David Harrison, Jackson and Johnson faced one count each.

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