Lance Stephenson avoids flagrant foul despite smacking LeBron in head

Lance Stephenson avoided being called for a flagrant foul for smacking LeBron James in the head while playing defense in the third quarter of Game 1 of their playoff series on Sunday. However, Stephenson was still called for a foul and technical foul.

James was driving towards the basket when Stephenson went for a block and swatted James in the head.

Lance Stephenson gets LeBron James across the face. pic.twitter.com/arfPAgPdgp

— RealGM (@RealGM) April 15, 2018

James received three free throws as a result. He made two of the three to make it an eight-point game.

Stephenson’s defense on James is something to watch throughout the series between Indiana and Cleveland given the history between the two players.