NBA player who broke Michael Jordan's ribs served the biggest ban in history for 'Malice at the Palace' incident

An NBA star who broke Michael Jordan's ribs served the biggest ban in NBA history for his part in a "the most infamous brawl".

There have been many instances where tempers have flared on the court but it was back in November 19, 2004, in Auburn Hills, Michigan, when one of the most controversial incidents in NBA happened and serious sanctions were imposed.

The Indiana Pacers were leading the Detroit Pistons 97-82 in the latter stages when Pistons center Ben Wallace went for a lay-up shot.

Pacers small forward Ron Artest, who later changed his name to Metta World Peace, committed a foul from behind and was shoved powerfully by the angered opponent.

A melee spawned involving both sets of players, with the referee trying to calm thing downs.

But when proceedings were just about diffused, Wallace threw a towel at Artest and soon all hell broke loose.

What happened at the Malice at the Palace?

A fan called John Green hurled a drink at Artest from a few rows above where he was situated as he whacked on a headset in a bid to speak Pacers radio broadcaster Mark Boyle.

An incensed Artest saw red and jumped on a fan who he mistakenly thought had thrown the beverage and soon punches were being thrown from players and fans alike - with more drinks, food and objects also involved.

Ron Artest was slapped with a hefty ban for his part in the brawl. Image: Getty

The mass brawl took place in the court and the stands and continued for an extended period of time, with security and police unable to gain control.

The game was abandoned with 45.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter and never completed - with the Pacers taking the win.

A total of nine players were hit with bans for their conduct, combining a total of 146 games. Artest served the longest ban in the history of the NBA, missing 86 games - made up of 73 regular season and 13 playoffs and losing $5 million in salary.

His teammates Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson ended up missing 30 games and along with Artest, David Harrison and Anthony Johnson, were sentenced to one year on probation and forced to serve community service, pay a fine and attend anger management counselling.

Green, the fan who threw the drink also punched Artest, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and also issued with a lifetime ban from attending Pistons games - along with five other spectators.

Michael Jordan called Ron Artest after he broke his ribs

Artest continued playing basketball and turned out for the likes of Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers, but he was involved in another high-profile incident with six-time NBA champion Jordan.

Artest, who was with the Chicago Bulls between 1999 and 2002, accidentally caused a serious injury to 'His Airness' in a pickup game.

But to his surprise, 'MJ' was not angry and assured Artest in one of two memorable phone calls he had with him.

"So then as I was denying with the left hand, my right elbow went under his hand that was under his left hand that was grabbing me, so I get his hand out the way, then I hit him with my elbow in his ribs and then the ref called an offensive foul," he called, as per Bleacher Report.

"Jordan had refs at every single run, and the ref called an offensive foul, and I'm like, 'Yeah!' And then Jordan went like this (holds his side) and I was like ‘Oh,'"

"Jordan was like, 'Hey man, it's OK. Things happen, and don't worry about it.' And then I went back to playing. It was one of the greatest phone calls I got in my life. I spoke to Jordan twice on the phone in my life.