Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) fights Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne in the second half during Game 1 on Sunday. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Fight breaks out after incident between LeBron James, Phoenix Suns

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 5/23/21

The environment was electric Sunday afternoon when LeBron James and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers took on the Phoenix Suns in Arizona for Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series.

With Phoenix holding a solid lead in the fourth quarter, star guard Chris Paul appeared to undercut James as the two went up for a rebound attempt.

Lakers vs Suns turns into madness, first Chris Paul grabs LeBron's shoulder, then Payne and Caruso get into it, and then Trezz comes in and drops Payne

NBA Playoffs are back lol pic.twitter.com/xWtbTJZx91
— LakeShow Highlights (@LA_HighLights24) May 23, 2021

As James was on the court in pain, multiple members of the Suns and Lakers went at it. Mayhem broke loose before officials on hand in Phoenix ultimately ejected Suns guard Cameron Payne . Meanwhile, Lakers teammates Alex Caruso and Montrezl Harrell both received technicals.

Remember, James and Paul were involved in something earlier in the game. It included the two going up for a rebound with Paul suffering an arm injury . This affected the star Phoenix Suns guard throughout the remainder of the game.

Yeah, this most definitely is not bubble NBA playoff basketball. That’s for sure.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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