Brawl erupts at Pistons-Pacers basketball game

In the final minute of Friday night's NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons in Detroit, players and fans exchanged blows in a brawl that left several people injured. Nine players have since been suspended.

A scuffle between players on the court escalated and spilled into the stands when fans begin throwing objects at players on the bench. Indiana's Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands at The Palace of Auburn Hills and fought with spectators, according to the Associated Press. The brawl compelled officials to stop the game, which Indiana led 97-82.

According to The Washington Post, the NBA has suspended Artest for the remainder of the season, Jackson for 30 games, O'Neal for 25 games and Wallace for six games. In addition, the league suspended Indiana's Anthony Johnson for five games, and Detroit's Elden Campbell, Derrick Coleman and Chauncey Billups and Indiana's Reggie Miller for one game.

Police said about a half-dozen people were treated for injuries at the arena following the incident and one was taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance, according to the Associated Press.

"It's the ugliest thing I've seen as a coach or player," Detroit coach Larry Brown said following the game.

"There's no place in the game for what went on with this incident," said Joe Dumars, Detroit's president of basketball operations, according to the Associated Press.

The incident was sparked by a foul that Artest committed against the Pistons' Ben Wallace, with 49.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, while Wallace was driving to the basket. After he was fouled, Wallace spun around and shoved Artest in the neck. Both benches emptied and players began skirmishing.

As players continued pushing and shoving each other, coaches from both teams attempted to break up the fight. Artest left the floor and lay down on his back on the scorer's table. After being hit in the face by a plastic cup thrown from the stands, Artest leapt over the table, threw punches as he climbed over the seats and tackled a Detroit fan. Fans began fighting back, and Jackson joined his teammate in the melee. Ushers and security personnel attempted to restore order.

Several minutes later, fans began coming onto the court. A man in a Pistons jersey approached Artest on the floor, shouting at him and raising his fists. Artest punched him in the face and knocked the man down. Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal then ran in and punched another fan.

Spectators threw a chair, popcorn, ice and beverages at Pacers players and coaches as they left the arena for the locker room.

"I felt like I was fighting for my life out there," said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, according to the Associated Press. "I'm sorry the game had to end this way."