Worst moment in each NBA franchise’s history

Indiana Pacers – “The Malice at the Palace”

November 19, 2004 was one of the darkest days in the history of the NBA. That might seem hyperbolic to some extent, but it is hard to explain the damage executed by the massive brawl that took place in the Palace of Auburn Hills during a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers.

Everything began with Ron Artest and a cup of liquid that was launched in his direction, but the extent of the brawl that ensued was simply crazy. Jermaine O’Neal punched a spectator on the court, Stephen Jackson was seen throwing haymakers in the crowd, and Artest himself was credited with a full season’s suspension for both his role as the instigator and for physical actions against onlookers.

Both Jackson and O’Neal were punished with lengthy suspensions in their own right, but the wide-ranging physical confrontation changed the way that NBA games are secured by officials. Beyond that, it was an important for the league’s image, and some maintain that actions by David Stern down the line (including the infamous dress code) were brought to the table as a result.

Because of the circumstances of the game and the fact that it was on national television via ESPN broadcast, the wild scene was taken in by many people in live fashion. That undoubtedly expedited the coverage of the event, but this was always going to be a big deal, and the Pacers lost a potential run at an NBA title as a result.

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