The NBA has come a long way from the Malice in the Palace, as more than 20 years have passed since the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons took to the stands in 2004. However, Wednesday saw a violent display of a non-basketball physicality. The Pacers vs. Pistons game became dirty with a brutal foul. 

Although not an elite player in the league, Isaiah Stewart pushes the envelope as he plays enforcer for the Pistons. However, enforcing wasn't necessary in the second quarter as the Pacers led 50-36 over the Pistons. Still, Stewart had no regard for the score or his opponent after committing a flagrant foul on Thomas Bryant 10 feet from the rim.

The foul occurred on a rebound, but Bryant wasn't in the play, with no intent to go for the ball. Still, Stewart caught the Pacers' backup center with a forceful elbow near his chest, dangerously close to his face.

Naturally, the referees ejected Stewart with a flagrant 2 for such a dirty play, as he had already received a technical foul earlier in the game. 

The Detroit big couldn't get himself together after committing such a dangerous foul. Stewart pointed a finger gun at the Pacers' bench in the Pistons huddle during the replay review as the referees assessed the foul. 

The Pistons big is no stranger to roughing up opponents and had testy moments with the Pacers in their last meeting, which ended in a 111-100 loss for the Detroit franchise. 

Such behavior can't be tolerated as the Pistons aim to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Meanwhile, the Pacers can't afford to risk more injuries to their roster, and a reckless player like Stewart threatens that goal.