Scottie Pippen Fight

Scottie Pippen's claiming he attacked a fan in Malibu this weekend in self-defense ... after the man called him the n-word and then spit at him.

Sources close to Pippen tell us, the middle-aged man who got his ass kicked by Pippen outside Nobu Sunday night was a drunk, overly aggressive fan who had been badgering Pippen for attention all evening ... beginning inside Nobu, where Pippen was eating with friends.

At one point, we're told one of Pippen's dinner guests went to the bathroom ... and the man sat in the guest's place ... continuing to pester Pippen with questions. We're told Pippen bit his tongue and politely asked the man to leave.

After the meal, we're told Pippen agreed to take a photo with the man outside the restaurant ... but the man continued to be aggressive, demanding an autograph as well. Pippen refused and we're told that's when the man dropped the n-bomb, shoved the NBA legend, then spat at him.

Sources close to Pippen say he lost it when the spit landed on his young daughter -- and Pippen flew into attack mode.

As we reported, the alleged victim was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital with severe injuries to his head, face, and back. Pippen has since spoken with authorities and he was not arrested.

The guy ex-NBA star Scottie Pippen allegedly knocked out in Malibu was so injured he was removed by ambulance ... and TMZ has the first photos from the scene.

We broke the story ... police have questioned Pippen about the violent incident that went down outside Nobu Sunday night.

The alleged victim is an autograph seeker who, we're told, suffered injuries to his head and back, and even broke some teeth when the Chicago Bulls legend allegedly punched him in the face and kicked him repeatedly.

Scottie Pippen has just been interviewed by police in connection with his alleged fight with an autograph seeker in Malibu last night, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us, Pippen contacted authorities in Malibu moments ago. We're told police decided against arresting Pippen after speaking with him. The investigation is ongoing.

We had previously been told by law enforcement officials that Pippen had been arrested. That was not the case.

TMZ broke the story ... Pippen allegedly brutalized an autograph seeker outside Nobu restaurant Sunday night. The man was knocked out after Pippen allegedly punched him in the face and kicked him repeatedly.

Pippen left the scene. As for the victim ... he was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, including broken teeth and a swollen mouth. He also suffered injuries to his head and back.

Pippen was subsequently named as a suspect for a felony charge of assault with intent to commit great bodily injury.

Scottie Pippen is officially a suspect in a felony assault with a deadly weapon investigation ... after allegedly knocking a man out in Malibu last night.

TMZ broke the story ... 47-year-old Pippen was at Nobu when he got into a fight with a man outside the restaurant, and allegedly knocked him out cold with a punch to the face.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department tells us ... Pippen has since been named as a suspect in a report for assault with a deadly weapon -- the deadly weapon being his shoes. We're told Pippen repeatedly kicked the 50-something-year-old victim when he was down.

As one source put it, "He beat the f*** out of him."

According to witnesses, the fight started after the alleged victim approached Pippen for an autograph. We're told Pippen said no, and something happened to set off the fight.

A family member of the alleged victim tells us, he was released from the hospital this morning with broken teeth, a swollen mouth, as well as back and head injuries.

Pippen's attorney had no comment.

Turns out Scottie Pippen doesn't need Michael Jordan to win after all -- 'cause the NBA legend KO'd a guy in Malibu last night ... TMZ has learned.

Here's what we know ... 47-year-old Pippen was outside Nobu in the 'Bu when he got into a fight with another guy.

Not clear at this point what started the altercation -- but we know it ended with the other guy getting so injured he was taken to a local hospital by ambulance.

FYI: Pippen is 6'8" and well over 200 lbs.

Police were called to the scene, but by the time they got there ... Pippen had left.

Scottie won 6 NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls ... and Jordan. None without MJ.