What was an altercation on November 19, 2004, at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan two years before the one between the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden?
Pacers–Pistons brawl The Pacers–Pistons brawl (colloquially known as the Malice at the Palace or Basketbrawl) was an altercation that occurred in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2004, at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Associated Press (AP) called it "the most infamous brawl in NBA history".
2000–01 Denver Nuggets season The 2000–01 NBA season was the Nuggets' 25th season in the National Basketball Association, and 34th season as a franchise. During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Calbert Cheaney and former Nuggets guard Robert Pack from the Boston Celtics, who acquired Pack from the Dallas Mavericks, while acquiring Voshon Lenard from the Miami Heat. However, Cheaney only played just nine games due to a strained left hamstring. At midseason, the Nuggets traded Keon Clark to the Toronto Raptors for Kevin Willis. Antonio McDyess finally realized his potential averaging 20.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while being selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game. The Nuggets were a playoff contender posting a record of 26–18 as of January 27. However, they faded in February and March winning just nine of 28 games as they missed the playoffs with a 40–42 record, sixth in the Midwest Division. Following the season, Willis was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, who then sent him back to the Houston Rockets, and Pack was released.