View source for Malice at the Palace

{{short description|2004 NBA game ended by a brawl}}
{{about||the professional wrestling event|WrestleFanFest Malice in the Palace|the "The Three Stooges" short|Malice in the Palace{{!}}''Malice in the Palace''}}
{{use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox basketball game
| game_name =Malice at the Palace
| image = Palace of Auburn Hills.jpg
| caption = The Palace of Auburn Hills, where the brawl took place
| visitor = '''[[2004–05 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana Pacers]]'''
| home = [[2004–05 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]]
| details = Game called with 45.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter
| visitor_total = 97
| home_total = 82
| visitor_per1 = 34
| visitor_per2 = 25
| visitor_per3 = 21
| visitor_per4 = 17
| home_per1 = 27
| home_per2 = 16
| home_per3 = 23
| home_per4 = 16
| referee = [[Tim Donaghy]] <br /> [[Ron Garretson]] <br /> Tommy Nuñez Jr.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200411190DET.html|title=Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons Box Score|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-date=December 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216084608/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200411190DET.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| date = November 19, 2004
| arena = [[The Palace of Auburn Hills]]
| city = [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]], U.S.
| attendance = 22,076
| network = [[NBA on ESPN|ESPN]]<br>[[Bally Sports Midwest|FSN Midwest]]<br>[[Bally Sports Detroit|FSN Detroit]]<br>[[WDIV-TV]]
}}

The "'''Malice at the Palace'''"<ref name="lesson">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/091118|title=The Brawl: Were lessons learned?|first=Jemele|last=Hill|date=November 18, 2009|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123041412/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill%2F091118|archive-date=November 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="abrams20120229">{{cite web|url=http://grantland.com/features/an-oral-history-malice-palace/|title=The Malice at the Palace: An oral history of the scariest moment in NBA history|date=March 20, 2012|work=Grantland|access-date=June 17, 2016|author=Abrams, Jonathan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414002346/http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7612311/view/full/an-oral-history-malice-pala|archive-date=April 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> was a fight involving players and fans that occurred during a [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) game between the [[2004–05 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana Pacers]] and the [[2004 NBA Finals|defending champion]] [[2004–05 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] on November 19, 2004, at [[The Palace of Auburn Hills|the Palace]] in [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]]. The [[Associated Press]] called it "the most infamous brawl in NBA history".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2012/news/04/23/top-10-hits.ap/index.html|title=Top 10 list of worst NBA fights, cheap shots|agency=Associated Press|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=April 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528065106/http://www.nba.com/2012/news/04/23/top-10-hits.ap/index.html|archive-date=May 28, 2012}}</ref>

Pistons [[Center (basketball)|center]] [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]] attempted a [[layup]] shot during the final minute but was [[Personal foul (basketball)|fouled]] from behind by Pacers [[small forward]] [[Metta Sandiford-Artest|Ron Artest]]. A furious Wallace then shoved Artest, and a fight broke out on the court between players from both teams. The players had been separated, game officials were discussing consequences, and Artest was lying on the scorer's table pending an interview when a Pistons fan named John Green hit him with a drink thrown from several rows up in the stands.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2004-11-19 |title=Brawl Between Pistons and Pacers Spills Into Crowd |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/19/sports/basketball/brawl-between-pistons-and-pacers-spills-into-crowd.html |access-date=2022-12-24 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224142301/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/19/sports/basketball/brawl-between-pistons-and-pacers-spills-into-crowd.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Artest angrily charged into the crowd and grabbed another fan, Michael Ryan, who he mistakenly identified as the culprit who had thrown the drink. Several Pacers teammates followed, more drinks and punches were thrown randomly, and the incident quickly escalated into a large brawl that spread from the stands to the court and involved fans and players from both teams. The game was abandoned and never completed, as a massive police presence was called to the venue to restore order and, later, to allow the visiting Pacers to safely leave the building.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2004-11-19 |title=Brawl Between Pistons and Pacers Spills Into Crowd |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/19/sports/basketball/brawl-between-pistons-and-pacers-spills-into-crowd.html |access-date=2022-12-24 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224142301/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/19/sports/basketball/brawl-between-pistons-and-pacers-spills-into-crowd.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the game, the NBA suspended nine players, including Artest and Wallace, for a total of 146 games, leading to the players losing a collective $11 million in salary. Five players were charged with [[assault]], and were eventually sentenced to a year of [[probation]] and [[community service]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Chris |date=December 8, 2004 |title=5 Pacers, 7 fans charged in brawl |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-brawl-investigation-story.html |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> Five fans also faced assault charges and were banned from attending Pistons home games for life.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jeremy W. |last2=Robbins |first2=Liz |date=2004-12-09 |title=5 Pacers and 5 Fans Are Charged in Fight |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/sports/basketball/5-pacers-and-5-fans-are-charged-in-fight.html |access-date=2022-12-24 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224142259/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/sports/basketball/5-pacers-and-5-fans-are-charged-in-fight.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The fight also led the NBA to increase security between players and fans and limit the sale of alcohol at games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Jemele |date=2009-11-18 |title=Hill: Malice at the Palace, five years later |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/091118 |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224142301/https://www.espn.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/091118 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Background ==
The [[Indiana Pacers]] and [[Detroit Pistons]] had not met since the [[2003–04 NBA season|previous season]]'s [[NBA Conference Finals|Eastern Conference Finals]], which the Pistons won in six games en route to their first [[NBA title]] since the [[Bad Boys (basketball)|"Bad Boys" era]] of the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2004.html|title=2004 NBA Playoff Summary|work=basketball-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=September 29, 2008|archive-date=October 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004035007/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2004.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Coming off a two-game winning streak, the Pacers held a 6–2 record, while the defending champion Pistons had begun their season 4–3. The game was televised nationally on [[NBA on ESPN|ESPN]]<ref name="abrams20120229"/> along with both teams' local broadcast affiliates, [[Bally Sports Midwest|FSN Midwest]] (Indiana) and [[WDIV-TV]] (Detroit).

The Pacers got off to a quick start, opening up a 20-point lead with seven minutes to go before [[half-time|halftime]]. The Pistons managed to cut into the lead, trailing by 16 points by halftime. The Pistons opened the third quarter with a 9–2 run, but the Pacers ended it with a buzzer-beating three-pointer and a [[layup]] from [[Jamaal Tinsley]] heading into the fourth quarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/game_041119.html|title=Big Win Marred by Ugly Brawl|date=November 19, 2004|access-date=September 27, 2008|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041121161745/http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/game_041119.html|archive-date=November 21, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Richard Hamilton (basketball)|Richard Hamilton]] and [[Lindsey Hunter]] started the fourth quarter with consecutive three-point [[field goal (basketball)|field goals]], as the Pistons cut into the lead again, but [[Stephen Jackson]]'s back-to-back field goals gave the Pacers a 93–79 lead with 3:52 remaining, and essentially putting the game away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/game_041119.html|title=Big Win Marred by Ugly Brawl|date=November 19, 2004|access-date=September 27, 2008|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041121161745/http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/game_041119.html|archive-date=November 21, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite the lopsided score near the end of the game, most key players on both teams remained in the game.<ref name="recap">{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241119008|agency=Associated Press|title=Carlisle: 'I was fighting for my life out there'|date=November 19, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=April 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041125092458/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241119008|archive-date=November 25, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Pacers were led by the 24-point effort of [[small forward]] [[Metta Sandiford-Artest|Ron Artest]], who scored 17 in the first quarter.{{r|recap}} [[Jermaine O'Neal]] notched a [[Double (basketball)#Double-double|double-double]] with 20 points and 13 [[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]]. Tinsley had 13 points, eight [[Assist (basketball)|assists]] and a career-high eight [[steal (basketball)|steals]]. Hamilton led the Pistons with 20 points. [[Rasheed Wallace]] and [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]] both recorded a double-double.

==Fight==
[[File:Artestpunchoffaninbrawl.PNG|thumb|right|200px|[[Metta Sandiford-Artest|Ron Artest]] running into the stands to attack Michael Ryan, who he believed threw a cup at him. The man in the blue jersey and white baseball cap to Artest's left, John Green, was the actual person responsible.|alt=]]
The brawl began with 45.9 seconds remaining in the final quarter of the game, when the Pacers led 97–82. Pistons [[center (basketball)|center]] Ben Wallace was [[personal foul (basketball)|fouled]] from behind by Artest, who slapped him across the back of the head during a layup attempt. Wallace later said that Artest had warned that if they fought him he would be hit.<ref name="abrams20120229"/> Wallace responded by shoving Artest in the face with both hands, causing players from both teams to quickly get in between them as they attempted to keep the two separated.<ref name="firstreport">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1927380|title=Artest, Jackson charge Palace stands|date=November 21, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041125090829/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1927380|archive-date=November 25, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="knightridder">{{cite web|title=Foul play in Auburn Hills: Pacers in brawl with Palace fans |url=http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/brawl20e_20041120.htm|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=April 17, 2012|date=November 21, 2004|last=Elrick|first=M. L.|author2=Windsor, Shawn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312130144/http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/brawl20e_20041120.htm|archive-date=March 12, 2005}}</ref>

Pistons coach [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] later said he was initially not concerned, because when altercations occur in NBA games, they usually last a few seconds. After breaking up the confrontation, the referees discussed fouls and [[ejection (sports)|ejections]] before the game resumed.{{r|abrams20120229}} Sportscaster [[Mike Breen]], calling the game for ESPN, believed Wallace would be ejected, while [[Bill Walton]] was of the opinion that Stephen Jackson should be ejected as well for shouting at the Pistons players and aggravating the situation. Breen expressed concern that, if Wallace got ejected, he would have to walk past the Pacers bench, which could have caused another incident.

As the referees huddled to discuss penalties, Artest went to the scorer's table and lay down on it, putting on a headset to speak with Pacers radio broadcaster Mark Boyle, though the broadcast team did not activate his microphone. Boyle recalled that the broadcasting team knew Artest's personality and "there was no way we were going to put an open mic in front of Ron Artest in that situation". Pacers president [[Donnie Walsh]] later stated that Artest was following advice he had received on how to calm down and avoid trouble in a volatile situation.{{r|abrams20120229}}

Ninety seconds after Wallace shoved Artest, most of both teams' players and coaches were huddled at midcourt, attempting to calm down Wallace.{{r|abrams20120229}} [[Tayshaun Prince]] was the only player on either team who did not leave the bench during the entire incident. Others became automatically eligible for one-game suspensions.<ref name="mccosky20041129">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-11-20-detroit-fans_x.htm|title=Pistons-Pacers brawl spills into the stands|work=USA Today|date=November 20, 2004|access-date=March 1, 2012|author=McCosky, Chris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411211946/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-11-20-detroit-fans_x.htm|archive-date=April 11, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> While Artest was lying on the table, Wallace threw a towel at him, causing Artest to briefly stand up before he was held back by coaches and teammate Reggie Miller.{{r|abrams20120229}}{{r|mccosky20041129}} A spectator, John Green, then threw a plastic cup of [[Diet Coke]] at Artest, hitting him in the chest.<ref name="firstreport"/><ref name="John Green">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4670842|title=Fan details strides made since brawl|date=November 19, 2009|work=ESPN.com|access-date=November 19, 2009|quote='I remember throwing the cup, actually a cup of Diet Coke, not a beer, but I had been drinking and I've had issues with alcohol in the past.' He later claimed that he had not intended to hit anyone but 'forgot about the laws of physics.'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103174725/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4670842|archive-date=November 3, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Artest immediately reacted to this by jumping off the table, charging into the stands, and grabbing another spectator, Michael Ryan, whom he mistakenly believed was responsible. Artest shouted at Ryan, "Did you do it?", to which Ryan replied, "No, man. No!" Pacers play-by-play announcer Mark Boyle stood from his chair at the broadcast table in an attempt to hold back Artest and was knocked backwards and stepped on, suffering five fractured vertebrae and a gouge on his head.<ref name="knightridder"/> Afterwards, Artest apologized to Boyle and said he had not realized he had trampled him.{{r|abrams20120229}}

Jackson followed Artest into the stands and punched a fan, William Paulson, in the face in retaliation for the man throwing another drink in Artest's face while he was being restrained by other spectators.<ref name="nytimes"/> Pacers players [[Eddie Gill]], [[David Harrison (basketball)|David Harrison]], [[Reggie Miller]] (who did not play because of an injury), [[Fred Jones (basketball)|Fred Jones]], and Jamaal Tinsley, the Pistons' Rasheed Wallace, and numerous personnel (including Pistons radio analyst and former player [[Rick Mahorn]]) also quickly entered the stands to get Artest and Jackson, and to break up the fighting. Green punched Artest twice in the head from behind, as did Ben Wallace's brother, David.{{r|abrams20120229}} By this point, the incident had already spiraled out of control. More fans then began throwing drinks, food, and other objects into the melee and some fans went on the court in the confusion.<ref name="firstreport"/>

As Artest walked out of the stands, he was confronted by two more fans, Alvin "A.J." Shackleford and Charlie Haddad, who had gone down to the court.{{r|abrams20120229}} Artest punched Shackleford in the face, causing Haddad to intervene by pushing away Artest, before both fans fell over. While Haddad was on the floor, [[Anthony Johnson (basketball)|Anthony Johnson]] struck him in the back of the head. As Haddad stood up, [[Jermaine O'Neal]] punched him in the jaw after a running start,<ref name="firstreport"/> while slipping in liquid and falling backwards, causing witnesses [[Scot Pollard]], ESPN sideline reporter [[Jim Gray (sportscaster)|Jim Gray]], and Pistons executive Tom Wilson to briefly fear that O'Neal would kill Haddad.{{r|abrams20120229}}

[[William Wesley]] pulled Artest away from the fans,{{r|abrams20120229}} and Brown tried to calm Wallace.{{r|knightridder}} The scene became more chaotic as additional fans went onto the court and additional items were thrown, overwhelming arena security personnel as they tried to reestablish order. Although Auburn Hills police had plans to handle many types of disorder, and had three officers in the arena, they were unprepared for the possibility of players entering the stands or masses of fans going onto the court.{{r|abrams20120229}}<ref name="firstreport"/>

Pacers coach [[Rick Carlisle]] said, "I felt like I was fighting for my life out there."{{r|knightridder}}{{r|recap}} One reporter who attempted to stop Tinsley from entering the stands recalled that the player "went through me like I was butter", and [[Commissioner of the NBA|NBA Commissioner]] [[David Stern]], watching the game on television, recalled that he said, "Holy shit." O'Neal later said, "As bad as it looked on TV, it was at least 20 times worse in person." Pacers assistant coach [[Chuck Person]] compared the situation to being "trapped in a [[gladiator]]-type scene where the fans were the lions and we were just trying to escape with our lives. That's how it felt. That there was no exit. That you had to fight your way out." Players' children and others in the audience cried from fear and shock. [[Derrick Coleman]] stood near Brown and Brown's [[ball boy]] son to protect them.{{r|abrams20120229}}

Referees ended the game with 45.9 seconds remaining, and awarded the Pacers with a 97–82 win.<ref name="recap"/> Pistons fans booed the Pacers players as they were escorted from the court by officials and security, and continued to throw beverages, popcorn and other objects (including a steel [[folding chair]] that nearly hit O'Neal) at them as they walked under the tunnel to the locker room.{{r|abrams20120229}}<ref name="knightridder"/> Brown tried to talk to the fans over the loudspeaker of the arena in an attempt to stop the chaos, but his pleas availed nothing, and he threw down the microphone in exasperation.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Montieth|title=Five years on, perceptions, lessons of infamous Palace brawl changing|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/11/19/brawl|website=SI.com|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806040744/https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/11/19/brawl|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Ken|last=Haddad|title=15 years later: Remembering the 2004 Pistons-Pacers brawl|url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2019/11/19/15-years-later-remembering-the-2004-pistons-pacers-brawl/|website=ClickOnDetroit.com|date=November 19, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=December 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202223025/https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2019/11/19/15-years-later-remembering-the-2004-pistons-pacers-brawl/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pistons public address announcer John Mason implored the remaining crowd to leave the court and arena because the game was over, and pleaded with fans to not throw any objects or engage in fighting.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Montieth|title=Five years on, perceptions, lessons of infamous Palace brawl changing|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/11/19/brawl|website=SI.com|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806040744/https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/11/19/brawl|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Ken|last=Haddad|title=15 years later: Remembering the 2004 Pistons-Pacers brawl|url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2019/11/19/15-years-later-remembering-the-2004-pistons-pacers-brawl/|website=ClickOnDetroit.com|date=November 19, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=December 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202223025/https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2019/11/19/15-years-later-remembering-the-2004-pistons-pacers-brawl/|url-status=live}}</ref> No players from either team spoke to the media before leaving the arena. Eventually, police officers swarmed the arena, threatening to handcuff those who would not leave.<ref name="knightridder"/> Nine spectators were injured, and two were hospitalized.<ref name="indefinitely">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1927663|title=Artest, O'Neal, Jackson, Wallace on hook|date=November 20, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041121043227/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1927663|archive-date=November 21, 2004|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the Pacers' locker room, O'Neal and Carlisle nearly got into a fight, as O'Neal was upset that some coaches had tried to restrain players while they were defending themselves out on the court.{{r|abrams20120229}} After everyone calmed down, Artest asked Jackson, "Jack, you think we going to get in trouble?" Jackson replied, "Are you serious, bro? Trouble? Ron, we'll be lucky if we still have a fucking job!"<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Jackson tells NBA fight stories {{!}} Highly Questionable |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xtQ5ENFdzE |website=YouTube | date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828014521/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xtQ5ENFdzE |url-status=live }}</ref>{{r|abrams20120229}} The conversation convinced an amazed Jackson and Pollard that Artest "wasn't in his right mind, to ask that question".{{r|abrams20120229}}{{r|medina20120926}}

Auburn Hills police entered the locker room to make arrests, but the team rushed Artest onto the bus and refused to take him off. The police decided to protect the Pacers as they left the arena, delaying decisions about criminal charges and arrests until after reviewing videos of the incident.{{r|abrams20120229}} By the time the Pacers' team bus departed, dozens of [[Police car|police cruiser]]s were stationed in the parking lot and lined the surrounding road.<ref name="knightridder"/>

==Charges==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="float:right; margin:0 0 0.5em 1em"
|-
!scope=col" |Player
!scope=col" align=center|Suspension by the NBA
!scope=col" align=center|Salary lost<ref name="suspensions"/>
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Ron|Artest|Metta Sandiford-Artest}} (IND)*
|{{ntsh|86}}Remainder of the season<br /><small>(86 games; 73 regular season and 13 playoff)</small>||{{ntsh|4995000}}[[United States dollar|US$]]4,997,500
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Stephen|Jackson}} (IND)*
|{{ntsh|30}}30&nbsp;games||{{ntsh|1700000}}US$1,750,000
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Jermaine|O'Neal}} (IND)*
|{{ntsh|15}}15&nbsp;games&nbsp;<br /><small>(originally set at 25 games, reduced on appeal)</small>||{{ntsh|4111000}}US$4,115,000
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Ben|Wallace|dab=basketball}} (DET)
|{{ntsh|6}}6&nbsp;games||{{ntsh|400000}}US$400,000
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Anthony|Johnson|dab=basketball}} (IND)*
|{{ntsh|5}}5&nbsp;games||{{ntsh|122222}}US$122,222
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Reggie|Miller}} (IND)
|{{ntsh|1}}1&nbsp;game||{{ntsh|61111}}US$61,111
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Chauncey|Billups}} (DET)
|{{ntsh|1}}1&nbsp;game||{{ntsh|60611}}US$60,611
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Derrick|Coleman}} (DET)
|{{ntsh|1}}1&nbsp;game||{{ntsh|50000}}US$50,000
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|Elden|Campbell}} (DET)
|{{ntsh|1}}1&nbsp;game||{{ntsh|48888}}US$48,888
|-
!scope="row"|{{sortname|David|Harrison|dab=basketball}} (IND)*
|{{ntsh|0}}None||{{ntsh|0}} None
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="4" |{{smalldiv|1=
{{Asterisk}} indicates players who faced legal consequences; they all received similar sentences:
* One year's [[probation]]
* [[Community service]]<br />(60 hours for Artest, Harrison, Jackson, and O'Neal; 100 hours for Johnson)
* [[Anger management]] therapy}}
|-
|}

===Suspensions===
On November 20, 2004, the day after the incident, the NBA suspended Artest, Jackson, O'Neal, and Wallace indefinitely,<ref name="indefinitely"/> saying that their actions were "shocking, repulsive, and inexcusable".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/news/commissioner_statement_041120.html|title=Statement from NBA Commissioner David Stern Concerning the Altercation During the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers Game Last Night at The Palace of Auburn Hills|date=November 20, 2004|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604185608/http://www.nba.com/news/commissioner_statement_041120.html|archive-date=June 4, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following day, the NBA announced that nine players would be suspended for a total of what eventually became 146 games: 137 games for Pacers players and nine games for Pistons players.<ref name="suspensions">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1928540|title=Suspensions without pay, won't be staggered|date=November 21, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208060548/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1928540|archive-date=December 8, 2004|url-status=live}}</ref> David Harrison was also seen fighting with fans, but the NBA stated that he would not be suspended because "the incident occurred as the players were attempting to leave the floor".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1930077|title=Union director suggests 35-game maximum|date=November 28, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208075819/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1930077|archive-date=December 8, 2004|url-status=live}}</ref>

Artest was given the longest suspension; he was suspended for the remainder of the [[2004–05 NBA season]], a suspension that eventually totaled 86&nbsp;games (73 regular season and 13 subsequent playoff games), the [[List of people banned or suspended by the NBA|longest suspension]] for an on-court incident in NBA history.<ref name="suspensions"/> The players suspended also lost in excess of [[United States dollar|US$]]11&nbsp;million in salary due to the suspensions,<ref name="suspensions"/> with Artest alone losing almost US$5&nbsp;million.<ref name="infamy">{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/10089645/site/21683474/|title=Palace brawl lives in infamy 1 year later|date=November 26, 2005|publisher=[[MSNBC]]|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719174244/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/10089645/site/21683474/|archive-date=July 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the week following the announcement of the suspensions, the [[National Basketball Players Association|players' union]] appealed the suspensions of Artest, Jackson, and O'Neal, saying they thought that commissioner Stern had "exceeded his authority".<ref name="suspensions"/> Jackson felt that despite losing millions the players were fortunate, as Stern could have expelled them from the league entirely.{{r|abrams20120229}}

A federal [[arbitration|arbitrator]] upheld the full length of all suspensions, except that of O'Neal, which was reduced to 15 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/sports/basketball/23brawl.htmll|title=N.B.A. Seeks to Overturn Arbitrator's Shorter Ban for O'Neal|last=Robbins|first=Liz|date=December 23, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919152703/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/sports/basketball/23brawl.html|archive-date=September 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The NBA appealed the decision of the arbitrator to reduce O'Neal's suspension in federal court, and on December 24, a judge issued a temporary injunction allowing O'Neal to play until a full hearing was held on the NBA's appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1952624|title=Final decision expected Dec. 30|date=December 24, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050115152312/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1952624|archive-date=January 15, 2005|url-status=live}}</ref>

O'Neal played in two more games before the NBA's case was brought before the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York|U.S. District Court]] in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]], on December 30. The NBA argued that under the terms of the league's [[NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement|Collective Bargaining Agreement]] (CBA), Stern had absolute authority to hand out suspensions and hear appeals for all on-court incidents. The judge ruled that because O'Neal's behavior was an off-court incident, arbitration was allowed under the CBA and thus the arbitrator was within his rights to reduce the suspension.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1955959|title=Judge: Arbitrator had right to shorten penalty|date=December 30, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050115152312/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1952624|archive-date=January 15, 2005|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite O'Neal's successful appeal, no further appeals were made to reduce Artest's and Jackson's suspensions.

===Legal consequences===
Auburn Hills police obtained videotapes of media coverage of the fight.{{r|recap}} Green was identified by county prosecutor David Gorcyca, who had been his neighbor.<ref name="sandoval20041202">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25577-2004Dec1.html |title=Two Fans Banned From Pistons' Home Games |last=Sandoval |first=Greg |date=December 2, 2004 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=February 5, 2018 |page=D01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205184436/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25577-2004Dec1.html|archive-date=February 5, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnas |first=By Jo-Ann |title=Malice at Palace prosecutor remembers 10 years later |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2014/11/19/malice-palace-david-gorcyca/19258815/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref> On November 30, [[Palace Sports and Entertainment]], the owner of the Pistons, banned Green and Haddad from attending any events at the Palace of Auburn Hills, including Pistons home games, and the [[DTE Energy Music Theatre]] revoked their season tickets and issued them refunds.<ref name="fans suspected in basketbrawl">{{cite web|url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/3960128/detail.html|title=Fans Suspected In Basketbrawl Banned Indefinitely|date=November 30, 2004|work=clickondetroit.com|publisher=WDIV|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204155352/http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/3960128/detail.html|archive-date=December 4, 2004}}</ref> Green had several previous criminal convictions, including [[counterfeiting]], [[concealed carry|carrying a concealed weapon]], [[aggravated assault|felony assault]], and three [[driving while intoxicated|drunken driving]] convictions.<ref name="criminal history">{{cite web|url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/3938054/detail.html|title=Report: Fan In White Hat Has Criminal History|date=November 22, 2004|work=clickondetroit.com|publisher=WDIV|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205091354/http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/3938054/detail.html|archive-date=December 5, 2004}}</ref> He was on court-ordered [[probation]] from a DUI conviction at the time of the brawl.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1123041green1.html|title=Piston Fan's Criminal Past|date=November 23, 2004|publisher=thesmokinggun.com|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-date=June 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606111053/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/piston-fans-criminal-past|url-status=live}}</ref>{{r|sandoval20041202}}

In December 2004, five Pacers players and five Pistons fans (John Ackerman; John Green; Bryant Jackson; William Paulson; and David Wallace, Ben Wallace's brother) were charged with varying levels of assault and [[Battery (crime)|battery]]. Indiana's O'Neal, who also threw usher Melvin Kendziorski onto the scorer's table when attempting to enter the stands, and Pistons fan/spectator Green, who Gorcyca said "single-handedly incited" the brawl by throwing the cup at Artest,<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/sports/basketball/09brawl.html|title=5 Pacers and 5 Fans Are Charged in Fight|last=Peters|first=Jeremy W.|author2=Robbins, Liz|date=December 8, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525222205/https://www.webcitation.org/671hwHPqe?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/sports/basketball/09brawl.html%3F_r=1|archive-date=May 25, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> were charged with two counts.

Artest, Harrison, Jackson, and [[Anthony Johnson (basketball)|Anthony Johnson]] were charged with one count of assault and battery each.<ref name= "PistonsPacers"/> Three of the fans, including David Wallace, received one count of the same charge.<ref name= "PistonsPacers"/> Bryant Jackson, who had prior criminal convictions, was charged with felony assault for throwing a chair, which nearly hit O'Neal during the brawl.<ref name= "PistonsPacers">{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6662993/|title=Five Pacers, seven Pistons fans charged in brawl|date=December 8, 2004|publisher=MSNBC/Associated Press|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720113103/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6662993/|archive-date=July 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two fans, Haddad and Shackleford, who entered the court during the fight were charged with [[trespassing]].<ref name= "PistonsPacers"/> All of the fans involved were banned from attending Pistons home games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-12-08-palace-brawl-charges_x.htm|title=Five Pacers, seven fans charged in Palace brawl|last=Dixon|first=Oscar|date=December 8, 2004|work=USA Today|access-date=May 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212012002/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-12-08-palace-brawl-charges_x.htm|archive-date=February 12, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2005, Bryant Jackson pleaded [[nolo contendere|no contest]] to a felony assault charge for throwing the chair. In May 2005, he was sentenced to two years' probation and ordered to pay $6,000 in [[restitution]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pistons/2007-02-01-brawl-bryant-jack_x.htm|title=Pistons fan accused of throwing chair during Palace brawl jailed|date=February 2, 2007|work=USA Today|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714011038/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pistons/2007-02-01-brawl-bryant-jack_x.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> David Wallace was convicted, and sentenced to one year of probation and [[community service]] for punching Pacers player Fred Jones from behind.<ref name="infamy"/>

All five players who were charged pleaded no contest to the charges. In September 2005, Artest, Jackson, and O'Neal were all sentenced to one year on probation, 60 hours of community service, a $250 [[fine (penalty)|fine]], and [[anger management]] counseling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pacers/2005-09-23-brawl-pleas_x.htm|title=Artest, O'Neal, Jackson receive year of probation|last=Fowler|first=Bree|date=September 23, 2005|work=USA Today|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514152220/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pacers/2005-09-23-brawl-pleas_x.htm|archive-date=May 14, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> A week later, Harrison received the same sentence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2176879|title=Harrison put on probation for role in Palace brawl|date=September 30, 2005|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527015305/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2176879|archive-date=May 27, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2005, Johnson, the last player to be charged, received a similar sentence. He was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pacers/2005-10-07-pacers-brawl_x.htm|title=Pacers' Johnson gets probation, community service for role in NBA brawl|date=October 7, 2005|work=USA Today|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714011033/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/pacers/2005-10-07-pacers-brawl_x.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2006, a jury found Green guilty on one count of assault and battery for punching Artest in the stands. They [[acquittal|acquitted]] him of an assault charge for throwing the cup. In May 2006, Green was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years' probation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2429320|title=Green also sentenced to two years' probation|date=May 1, 2006|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009215910/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2429320|archive-date=October 9, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2006, the Pistons issued a letter to Green informing him that he was banned for life from attending any Pistons home games under orders from the NBA, and he would be subject to trespassing charges if he was found attending. In a revision from his initial punishment two years prior, the ban no longer extended to other events at the Palace.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-11-16-brawl-fan_x.htm|title=Fan who ignited brawl forever banned from Pistons' home games|date=November 7, 2006|work=USA Today|access-date=May 16, 2008|first=Michael|last=McCarthy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010095719/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-11-16-brawl-fan_x.htm|archive-date=October 10, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Multiple civil suits were filed against both the Indiana Pacers and its players by fans involved in the brawl; some were dismissed or lost at trial<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/michigan/miedce/2:2004cv74932/197253|title=Haddad v. Indiana Pacers et al|date=October 19, 2010|publisher=justia.com|access-date=November 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modbee.com/sports/article3098155.html|title=Judge dismisses Palace brawl suits against Artest|date=December 11, 2007|publisher=modbee.com|access-date=November 11, 2025}}</ref> and others resulted in confidential out-of-court settlements. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/pistons-fans-settle-lawsuits-against-pacers/531-1daa49a9-438c-4510-89dd-78854f2e9706|title=Pistons fans settle lawsuits against Pacers|date=June 11, 2008|publisher=wthr.com|access-date=November 11, 2025}}</ref>

==Aftermath==

===Public reaction===
Several NBA players and coaches said the brawl was the worst fight they had ever seen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/3935695/detail.html|title=Palace Brawl Was 'Ugly Scene,' Says Pistons President|date=November 19, 2004|work=clickondetroit.com|publisher=WDIV|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041122012330/http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/3935695/detail.html|archive-date=November 22, 2004}}</ref>{{r|recap}} Hockey player [[Chris Chelios]], who attended the game with [[Kid Rock]], described the fight as unbelievable.{{r|recap}} Pacers fans began to refer to their team as "The Thugs".<ref name="weinreb20120227">{{cite web|url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7620692/indianapolis-meaning-peyton-manning|title=Ten Conversations About One Quarterback|work=Grantland|date=February 27, 2012|access-date=February 29, 2012|author=Weinreb, Michael|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413124848/http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7620692/indianapolis-meaning-peyton-manning|archive-date=April 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pistons CEO Tom Wilson later stated that Artest's action took away physical barriers, such as tables and benches, that normally separate fans and players, and ''[[Indianapolis Star]]'' reporter Mark Montieth made the statement: "In a way, [Artest] provoked [the forthcoming assault] passively by lying down", even though Artest lying down was something he had done frequently to calm down.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdPD3leuyHw&t=901s |title=Artest & Stephen Jackson Look Back On The Infamous 'Malice In The Palace' {{!}} ALL THE SMOKE – YouTube<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=[[YouTube]] |date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721205209/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdPD3leuyHw&t=901s |url-status=live }}</ref>{{r|abrams20120229}} 

In the post-game commentary on ESPN's ''[[NBA Shootaround]]'', ESPN studio analysts blamed the Pistons' fans and not the players. [[John Saunders (journalist)|John Saunders]] referred to the fans as "a bunch of punks",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/3936144/detail.html|title=ESPN Commentator Bashes Detroit Fans| work=clickondetroit.com|publisher=WDIV|access-date=April 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209070824/http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/3936144/detail.html|archive-date=December 9, 2004}}</ref> and [[Tim Legler]] said that "the fans crossed the line".<ref>{{cite web|last=Legler|first=Tim|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?id=1927415|title=Always trouble when fans involved|work=ESPN.com|date=November 23, 2004|access-date=April 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204054039/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=1927415|archive-date=December 4, 2004|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Stephen A. Smith]] stated that, "They should be ashamed of themselves and some of them [the fans] should be arrested as far as I'm concerned."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPaZ4zRb5G0|title=Malice at the Palace – Pistons vs Pacers – November 19, 2004|date=June 3, 2014 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=April 24, 2021|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429012610/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPaZ4zRb5G0|url-status=live}}</ref> Their commentary prompted ESPN vice president [[Mark Shapiro (media executive)|Mark Shapiro]] to place calls to host Saunders, as well as analysts Legler, Smith, and [[Greg Anthony]], as Shapiro felt their commentary was biased. The following Tuesday, Shapiro stated, "I wish the studio hadn't laid the blame solely on the backs of the fans Friday night."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/martzke/2004-11-23-martzke_x.htm|title=ESPN boss makes right call after announcers blame Pistons fans|date=November 23, 2004|work=USA Today|access-date=June 2, 2009|last=Martzke|first=Rudy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629082017/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/martzke/2004-11-23-martzke_x.htm|archive-date=June 29, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A significant portion of media criticism was directed at the Pistons fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/polling?event_id=1010|title=Vote: Pacers–Pistons brawl|date=November 20, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-date=August 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829024705/http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/poll/_/id/1010|url-status=dead}}</ref> 46% of the voters in the [[SportsNation (website)|SportsNation]] poll believed that the fans were to blame for the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/polling?event_id=1010|title=Vote: Pacers–Pistons brawl|date=November 20, 2004|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 3, 2008|archive-date=August 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829024705/http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/poll/_/id/1010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other commentators said that Artest and the other players involved were to blame.<ref name="indefinitely"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Ratto|first=Ray|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ratto_ray&id=1927360|title=Plenty of blame to go around|work=ESPN.com|date=November 19, 2004|access-date=April 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041129090334/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ratto_ray&id=1927360|archive-date=November 29, 2004|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Celizic|first=Mike|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6679701/site/21683474/|title=Artest, fellow Pacers deserve jail time|publisher=MSNBC|date=December 9, 2004|access-date=April 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726142014/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6679701/site/21683474/|archive-date=July 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===NBA reforms===
Some NBA teams immediately increased protection of players and arenas, while the NBA reminded teams of existing security procedures.{{r|sandoval20041202}} The league imposed new security guidelines on February 17, 2005, for all of its arenas. These new policies included a size limit of {{convert|24|USoz|ml|0|abbr=on}} for alcohol purchases, a hard cap of two alcoholic beverages per purchase for any individual person, and the discontinuation of alcohol sales after the end of the third quarter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1993569|title=Fans subject to conduct code|date=February 17, 2005|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523193457/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1993569|archive-date=May 23, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> The NBA also later ordered that each team put at least three security guards between the players and the fans.<ref name="infamy"/>

===Events after the brawl===
The day following the brawl on November 20, 2004, another notorious incident of sports violence occurred at the 2004 [[Palmetto Bowl]] referred to as the [[Clemson–South Carolina football brawl]], although unlike the Malice at the Palace, fans did not get involved. South Carolina and Clemson’s teams declined their bowl bids and received penalties from their respective conferences following the brawl. 

The Pacers and the Pistons played for the first time after the brawl on [[National Basketball Association Christmas games|December 25]] at the [[Conseco Fieldhouse]] in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]. The Pistons won 98–93 without incident. Neither Artest nor Jackson played due to their suspensions; O'Neal played in his first game back after the arbitrator reduced his suspension to 15 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241225011|title=Indiana's O'Neal shows rust in return|date=December 25, 2004|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050411130628/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241225011|archive-date=April 11, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 25, 2005, the Pacers played at the Palace for the first time since the brawl. The game was delayed 90 minutes after a series of bomb threats were aimed at the Pacers locker room, but the game eventually started after no explosives were found.<ref name="secondgame">{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=250325008|title=Detroit's 12-game home win streak snapped|date=March 25, 2005|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050901023316/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=250325008|archive-date=September 1, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two of the key figures in the original incident missed the game, as Artest was still suspended and O'Neal had an injured shoulder. In the game, the Pacers stopped the Pistons' 12-game home winning streak with a 94–81 win.<ref name="secondgame"/>

[[File:Ron Artest.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A year after the brawl, Ron Artest was traded to the [[Sacramento Kings]].|alt=Ron Artest during in-game warm up]]
In the [[2005 NBA Playoffs]], the Pistons entered as the second seed of the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]], and the Pacers as the sixth. After the Pistons defeated the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in five games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20050503/PHIDET/recap.html|title=Detroit Shows Philly the Door|date=May 3, 2005|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309131908/http://www.nba.com/games/20050503/PHIDET/recap.html|archive-date=March 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Pacers upset the third seed [[Boston Celtics]] in seven games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20050507/INDBOS/recap.html|title=Big Second Half Leads Pacers to Second Round|date=May 7, 2005|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309132258/http://www.nba.com/games/20050507/INDBOS/recap.html|archive-date=March 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> the two teams met in the second round. Although the Pacers went ahead two games to one,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20050513/DETIND/recap.html|title=Setting the Pace|date=May 13, 2005|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309132437/http://www.nba.com/games/20050513/DETIND/recap.html|archive-date=March 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Pistons clinched the series in six games with three straight wins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20050519/DETIND/recap.html|title=Pistons Retire Miller's Pacers; Move On to Face Heat|date=May 19, 2005|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324071505/http://www.nba.com/games/20050519/DETIND/recap.html|archive-date=March 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> After eliminating Indiana, Detroit defeated the [[Miami Heat]] in the [[2005 NBA Eastern Conference Finals|Eastern Conference Finals]] in seven games, then advanced to the [[2005 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], where they lost to the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in seven games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20050623/DETSAS/recap.html|title=Spurs Dethrone Pistons To Take Third NBA Title|date=June 23, 2005|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324072011/http://www.nba.com/games/20050623/DETSAS/recap.html|archive-date=March 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After serving his suspension of the rest of the 2004–05 season, Artest returned to the Pacers at the beginning of the {{nbay|2005|app=season}}. After playing 16 games, he demanded to be [[trade (sports)|traded]], and the Pacers put him on the [[Injured reserve list|injured list]].<ref name="tradedemand">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2256741|title=Peeved Pacers will try to move disgruntled star|date=December 13, 2005|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212022354/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2256741|archive-date=February 12, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pacers' Walsh said that Artest's demands were "the last straw",<ref name="tradedemand"/> and many Pacers players who had fought in the brawl to help their teammate felt betrayed.{{r|abrams20120229}} Jackson later said, "I put my career on the line for him, going into the stands and fighting ... I lost $3 million [but] there was no 'thank you' or nothing."<ref name="medina20120926">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-xpm-2012-sep-26-la-sp-ln-lat-stephen-jackson-would-not-let-metta-world-peace-rap-on-his-album-20120926-story.html | title=Stephen Jackson wouldn't let Metta World Peace rap on his album | work=Los Angeles Times | date=September 26, 2012 | access-date=January 14, 2015 | author=Medina, Mark | archive-date=April 8, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408132111/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/26/sports/la-sp-ln-lat-stephen-jackson-would-not-let-metta-world-peace-rap-on-his-album-20120926 | url-status=live }}</ref> 

After more than a month of inactivity, the Pacers traded Artest to the [[Sacramento Kings]] for [[Peja Stojaković]].<ref name="artesttrade">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2304942|title=Pacers: Artest-for-Peja deal finally done|date=January 25, 2006|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214000543/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304942|archive-date=February 14, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> Artest faced Ben Wallace for the first time after the fight in November 2006, and made his return to Detroit in January 2007. During the Kings' 91–74 loss to the Pistons, Artest was booed constantly, but there were no unusual incidents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=270120008|title=Pistons bury slumping Kings, losers in eight of last nine|date=January 20, 2007|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010072721/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270120008|archive-date=October 10, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> After a year's stop with the [[Houston Rockets]] in the [[2008–09 NBA season|2008–09 season]], Artest signed with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4314742|title=Artest signs 5-year deal with L.A.|work=ESPN.com|date=July 8, 2009|access-date=December 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712030408/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4314742|archive-date=July 12, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

After winning his first NBA championship in {{nbafy|2010}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300617013|work=ESPN.com|date=June 17, 2010|access-date=July 7, 2010|title=Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers&nbsp;– Box Score&nbsp;– June 17, 2010|archive-date=June 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621071915/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300617013|url-status=live}}</ref> Artest apologized to Jackson and other Pacers for being "so young and [[egotism|egotistical]]", stating "sometimes I feel like a coward when I see those guys. I'm on the Lakers, but I had a chance to win with you guys. I feel almost like a coward." On September 16, 2011, Artest legally changed his name to Metta World Peace.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2011-sep-16-la-sp-ron-artest-name-20110917-story.html|title=We have World Peace: Ron Artest gets name change|last=Bolch|first=Ben|date=September 16, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605095157/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/16/sports/la-sp-ron-artest-name-20110917|archive-date=June 5, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6698183|title=Ron Artest: Call me Metta World Peace|access-date=June 23, 2011|date=June 23, 2011|work=ESPN.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415130333/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6698183|archive-date=April 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2011 NBA lockout|lockout-shortened]] {{nbay|2011|app=season}}, only one of the nine players who were suspended after the brawl was still with his original team: Ben Wallace, who signed with the [[Chicago Bulls]] as a [[free agent]] in 2006, later traded to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], and rejoined the Pistons on August 7, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2508742|title=Ben Wallace makes it official, signs with Bulls|last=Ford|first=Chad|date=July 13, 2006|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822151444/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2508742|archive-date=August 22, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the players involved were traded to other teams,<ref name="artesttrade"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2733891|title=Harrington, Jackson at heart of Pacers-Warriors deal|date=January 18, 2007|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119101558/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2733891|archive-date=January 19, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-07-23-mavs-pacers-trade_x.htm|title=Indiana acquires Armstrong, trades Johnson in deal with Mavericks|date=July 24, 2006|work=USA Today|access-date=April 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714012102/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-07-23-mavs-pacers-trade_x.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stein|first=Marc|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3679931|title=Pistons acquire Iverson, send Billups and McDyess to Denver|date=November 14, 2008|work=ESPN.com|access-date=November 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106131222/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3679931|archive-date=November 6, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> and since then, all of the players involved in the brawl have retired, with Artest being the last to do so in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/156/derrick-coleman|title=Derrick Coleman|website=ESPN.com|access-date=September 11, 2015|archive-date=October 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029062548/http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/156/derrick-coleman|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/050211_reggie.html|title=Reggie Says "I Just Believe It's Time"|website=The Official Site of the Indiana Pacers|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-date=August 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818115858/http://www.nba.com/pacers/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Elden-Campbell/Summary/838|title=Elden Campbell Player Profile, Detroit Pistons, NBA Stats, NCAA Stats, Game Logs, Bests, Awards – RealGM|website=basketball.realgm.com|access-date=September 11, 2015|archive-date=September 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907001119/http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Elden-Campbell/Summary/838|url-status=live}}</ref> 

The Pistons advanced to four straight Eastern Conference Finals after the brawl, and six straight overall, making them the first team since the Lakers in the 1980s to advance to six straight conference finals<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280513008|title=Pistons pull away late to advance to 6th straight conference finals|date=May 13, 2008|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517082140/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280513008|archive-date=May 17, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> though they only won the championship once in that streak. After losing to the Pistons in the 2005 playoffs, the Pacers failed to finish above .500 until the {{nbay|2011|app=season}} and missed the playoffs for four straight seasons from 2007 through 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/|title=Indiana Pacers|work=basketball-reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808155752/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many Pacers from the 2004–05 season believe that the brawl and its consequences ruined a potential championship team, and that the referees did not assist the players well enough to be physically harmed by visitors.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

On November 19, 2009, John Green, the fan who helped instigate the brawl, appeared on ESPN's ''[[First Take (TV series)|First Take]]'', where he talked about the incident and the changes he had made since then. Green recounted that he had an alcohol problem at the time and had since made an effort to deal with that. He said that Artest had apologized to him several months earlier, and wished to work together in some type of community service in Detroit.<ref name="John Green"/> On June 9, 2017, Artest (then known as Metta World Peace) appeared on ''[[Rich Eisen|The Rich Eisen Show]]'' and alluded to his friendship with Green.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbQjjhgU5jo]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002231910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbQjjhgU5jo|date=2021-10-02}}<span> Metta World Peace interview</span>, ''The Rich Eisen Show'', June 9, 2017.</ref> 

Almost four years after the incident, another similar incident happened also at the same arena, this time between the [[Los Angeles Sparks]] and the [[Detroit Shock]] (later the [[Tulsa Shock]], now known as the [[Dallas Wings]]) of the [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]]. This gave it the nickname "[[Sparks–Shock brawl|The Malice at The Palace II]]".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parker|first=Brent|title=Malice In The Palace Part II: Detroit Shock Mug L.A Sparks Star Candace Parker|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/40268-malice-in-the-palace-part-ii-detroit-shock-mug-la-sparks-star-candace-parker|access-date=January 30, 2022|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130114443/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/40268-malice-in-the-palace-part-ii-detroit-shock-mug-la-sparks-star-candace-parker|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Box score ==
Sources<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons Box Score, November 19, 2004|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200411190DET.html|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=Basketball Reference|archive-date=December 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216084608/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200411190DET.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Indiana Pacers vs Detroit Pistons Nov 19, 2004 Box Score|url=https://www.nba.com/game/ind-vs-det-0020400123/box-score|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=[[National Basketball Association]]|archive-date=August 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811040634/https://www.nba.com/game/ind-vs-det-0020400123/box-score}}</ref>{{basketballbox
 | bg         = #e3e3e3
 | date       = {{Start date|2004|11|19}}
 | time       = 8:00{{nbsp}}p.m.
 | report     = [https://www.nba.com/game/ind-vs-det-0020400123/box-score Box score]
 | team1      = '''Indiana Pacers'''
 | score1     = '''97'''
 | team2      = Detroit Pistons
 | score2     = 82
 | Q1         = '''34'''–27
 | Q2         = '''25'''–16
 | Q3         = 21–'''23'''
 | Q4         = '''17'''–16
 | points1    = [[Metta Sandiford-Artest|Artest]] 24
 | rebounds1  = [[Jermaine O'Neal|O'Neal]] 13
 | assist1    = [[Jamaal Tinsley|Tinsley]] 8
 | points2    = [[Richard Hamilton (basketball)|Hamilton]] 20
 | rebounds2  = [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|B. Wallace]], [[Rasheed Wallace|R. Wallace]] 10 each
 | assist2    = [[Chauncey Billups|Billups]], [[Tayshaun Prince|Prince]] 5 each
 | place      = [[The Palace of Auburn Hills]], [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]]
 | attendance = 22,076
 | referee    = [[Tim Donaghy]], [[Ron Garretson]], [[Tommy Nunez Jr.]]
 | TV         = [[ESPN]]
 | series     = 
}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center
|+
Indiana Pacers
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | Player
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|Pos|Position}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|Min|Minutes played}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|FGM|Field goals made}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|FGA|Field goals attempted}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|FG%|Field goal percentage}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|3PM|Three-point field goals made}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|3PA|Three-point field goals attempted}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|3P%|Three-point field goal percentage}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|FTM|Free throws made}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|FTA|Free throws attempted}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|FT%|Free throw percentage}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|OREB|Offensive rebounds}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|DREB|Defensive rebounds}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|REB|Total rebounds}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|AST|Assists}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|STL|Steals}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|BLK|Blocks}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|TO|Turnovers}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|PF|Personal fouls}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | {{abbr|PTS|Points}}
!scope="col" style="background:#1D1E4B; color:#FFD300" | |{{abbr|+/−|Plus/minus}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[Metta Sandiford-Artest|Ron Artest]]
|[[Forward (basketball position)|F]]
|42:48
|7
|19
|.368
|2
|5
|.400
|8
|9
|.889
|1
|4
|5
|2
|2
|0
|3
|3
|24
|9
|-
!scope="row"|[[Jamaal Tinsley]]
|[[Guard (basketball)|G]]
|39:25
|5
|10
|.500
|3
|5
|.600
|0
|0
|
|1
|2
|3
|8
|8
|0
|4
|2
|13
|5
|-
!scope="row"|[[Stephen Jackson]]
|G
|38:20
|5
|12
|.417
|1
|3
|.333
|2
|2
|1.000
|0
|3
|3
|3
|0
|0
|0
|4
|13
|11
|-
!scope="row"|[[Austin Croshere]]
|F
|37:29
|4
|7
|.571
|2
|3
|.667
|5
|5
|1.000
|1
|5
|6
|0
|3
|0
|0
|1
|15
|7
|-
!scope="row"|[[Jermaine O'Neal]]
|[[Center (basketball)|C]]
|36:27
|5
|14
|.357
|0
|0
|
|10
|14
|.714
|3
|10
|13
|3
|0
|0
|0
|4
|20
|7
|-
!scope="row"|[[Fred Jones (basketball)|Fred Jones]]
|
|16:19
|1
|4
|.250
|1
|2
|.500
|0
|0
|
|0
|2
|2
|1
|1
|0
|1
|2
|3
|10
|-
!scope="row"|[[David Harrison (basketball)|David Harrison]]
|
|14:54
|1
|1
|1.000
|0
|0
|
|2
|2
|1.000
|3
|0
|3
|1
|0
|1
|1
|4
|4
| 4
|-
!scope="row"|[[Eddie Gill]]
|
|9:39
|1
|2
|.500
|0
|1
|.000
|3
|3
|1.000
|0
|2
|2
|1
|1
|0
|1
|0
|5
|12
|-
!scope="row"|[[James Jones (basketball, born 1980)|James Jones]]
|
|4:39
|0
|1
|.000
|0
|1
|.000
|0
|0
|
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|10
|-
!scope="row"|[[Scot Pollard]]
|
| colspan="20" |''Did not dress''
|-
!scope="row"|[[John Edwards (basketball)|John Edwards]]
|
| colspan="20" |''Did not play''
|-
!scope="row"|[[Jonathan Bender]]
|
| colspan="20" |''Did not dress''
|-
!scope="row"|[[Reggie Miller]]
|
| colspan="20" |''injured''
|-
!scope="row"|'''Team totals'''
!
!'''240'''
!'''29'''
!'''70'''
!'''.414'''
!'''9'''
!'''20'''
!'''.450'''
!'''30'''
!'''35'''
!'''.857'''
!'''9'''
!'''28'''
!'''37'''
!'''19'''
!'''15'''
!'''1'''
!'''10'''
!'''21'''
!'''97'''
!
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center
|+Detroit Pistons
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | Player
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|Pos|Position}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|Min|Minutes played}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|FGM|Field goals made}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|FGA|Field goals attempted}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|FG%|Field goal percentage}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|3PM|Three-point field goals made}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|3PA|Three-point field goals attempted}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|3P%|Three-point field goal percentage}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|FTM|Free throws made}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|FTA|Free throws attempted}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|FT%|Free throw percentage}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|OREB|Offensive rebounds}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|DREB|Defensive rebounds}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|REB|Total rebounds}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|AST|Assists}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|STL|Steals}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|BLK|Blocks}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|TO|Turnovers}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|PF|Personal fouls}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|PTS|Points}}
!scope="col" style="background:#006BB7; color:#ED164B" | {{abbr|+/−|Plus/minus}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[Richard Hamilton (basketball)|Richard Hamilton]]
|[[Guard (basketball)|G]]
|42:13
|6
|15
|.400
|1
|1
|1.000
|7
|7
|1.000
|0
|5
|5
|2
|1
|0
|3
|2
|20
|−19
|-
!scope="row"|[[Chauncey Billups]]
|G
|41:21
|3
|10
|.300
|0
|5
|.000
|7
|7
|1.000
|0
|7
|7
|5
|1
|0
|1
|2
|13
|−7
|-
!scope="row"|[[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]]
|[[Center (basketball)|C]]
|38:43
|5
|11
|.455
|0
|0
|
|3
|4
|.750
|5
|5
|10
|0
|1
|3
|3
|1
|13
|−8
|-
!scope="row"|[[Rasheed Wallace]]
|[[Forward (basketball position)|F]]
|30:36
|8
|17
|.471
|2
|5
|.400
|1
|2
|.500
|4
|6
|10
|1
|0
|2
|2
|3
|19
|−10
|-
!scope="row"|[[Tayshaun Prince]]
|F
|30:36
|2
|8
|.250
|0
|3
|.000
|0
|0
|
|2
|3
|5
|5
|0
|1
|3
|4
|4
|−8
|-
!scope="row"|[[Antonio McDyess]]
|
|18:51
|0
|5
|.000
|0
|0
|
|0
|0
|
|1
|1
|2
|2
|1
|0
|0
|3
|0
|−8
|-
!scope="row"|[[Lindsey Hunter]]
|
|11:42
|2
|2
|1.000
|1
|1
|1.000
|0
|0
|
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|1
|3
|5
|0
|-
!scope="row"|[[Darvin Ham]]
|
|10:11
|0
|0
|
|0
|0
|
|0
|0
|
|0
|1
|1
|1
|0
|0
|1
|2
|0
|6
|-
!scope="row"|[[Smush Parker]]
|
|8:33
|1
|2
|.500
|0
|1
|.000
|0
|0
|
|0
|1
|1
|1
|0
|0
|1
|1
|2
|−19
|-
!scope="row"|[[Elden Campbell]]
|
|7:14
|2
|4
|.500
|0
|0
|
|2
|2
|1.000
|0
|1
|1
|0
|0
|1
|0
|0
|6
|−2
|-
!scope="row"|[[Darko Miličić]]
|
| colspan="20" |''Did not play''
|-
!scope="row"|[[Derrick Coleman]]
|
| colspan="20" |''Did not play''
|-
!scope="row"|[[Carlos Delfino]]
|
| colspan="20" |''Injured''
|-
!scope="row"|'''Team totals'''
!
!'''240'''
!'''29'''
!'''74'''
!'''.392'''
!'''4'''
!'''16'''
!'''.250'''
!'''20'''
!'''22'''
!'''.909'''
!'''12'''
!'''30'''
!'''42'''
!'''17'''
!'''4'''
!'''7'''
!'''15'''
!'''22'''
!'''82'''
!
|}

==See also==
* [[2004–05 NBA season]]
* [[National Basketball Association criticisms and controversies]]
* [[Violence in sports]]
* [[List of violent spectator incidents in sports]]
* [[Bottlegate]], a previous 2001 [[National Football League|NFL]] incident which led to controls on beer sales and container types in that league
* [[Clemson–South Carolina football brawl]], a brawl that happened the day after this
* [[Hooliganism]]
* [[Knicks–Nuggets brawl]]
* [[Sparks–Shock brawl]]
* [[2010 Acropolis International Basketball Tournament#Bench clearing brawl|2010 Acropolis Basketball Tournament brawl]]
* [[2011 Crosstown Shootout brawl]]
* [[Philippines–Australia basketball brawl]]
* [[Colorado Avalanche–Detroit Red Wings brawl]]
* [[Minnesota Target]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web |title=The Infamous "Malice at the Palace" Fight Needs a Deep Rewind |date=December 11, 2018 |work=[[SB Nation]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4REWM99_JSI&list=PLUXSZMIiUfFT6WwhB2Sk2gqz7agE9FlLg | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211111/4REWM99_JSI| archive-date=November 11, 2021 | url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051228125310/http://www2.indystar.com/special/nbabrawl/ Special Report: NBA Brawl] by the ''[[Indianapolis Star]]''

{{Indiana Pacers}}
{{Detroit Pistons}}
{{Sporting fiascos}}
{{NBA on ABC}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malice At The Palace}}
[[Category:2004–05 NBA season]]
[[Category:2004 in sports in Michigan]]
[[Category:November 2004 crimes in the United States]]
[[Category:Sports in Auburn Hills, Michigan]]
[[Category:Brawls in team sports]]
[[Category:Detroit Pistons games]]
[[Category:Indiana Pacers games]]
[[Category:Hooliganism]]
[[Category:NBA controversies]]
[[Category:NBA games]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Michigan]]
[[Category:Violence in sports]]
[[Category:Sports controversies]]
[[Category:Crimes in Michigan]]
[[Category:November 2004 sports events in the United States]]
[[Category:Nicknamed sporting events]]
[[Category:Sports riots]]
[[Category:Organized events in Oakland County, Michigan]]