A heated NBA matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets turned chaotic at Spectrum Center, with a massive brawl erupting in the third quarter. Police briefly entered the court to restore order, and officials ejected four players amid the frenzy.
The Brawl Unfolds
With the Pistons leading 70-62, Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate fouled Detroit’s Jalen Duren. The two confronted each other and butted heads. Duren shoved Diabate away, drawing teammates from both sides into the skirmish before an energized crowd.
Detroit forward Tobias Harris tried to restrain Diabate, but the Charlotte center swung a punch at Duren. As Duren backed off, Hornets’ Miles Bridges charged and landed a left-handed punch. Duren fired back with his own strike.
Diabate attempted another charge at Duren but was held back. Meanwhile, Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart targeted Bridges, locking him in a headlock and appearing to land multiple blows. The 30-second melee prompted a lengthy review.
Lead official John Goble explained post-game, “After review, we assessed fighting fouls, and by rule, they were ejected from the game.” Ejected players included Duren’s and Stewart from Detroit, plus Diabate and Bridges from Charlotte for engaging in fighting during a dead ball.
Reactions from Players and Coaches
Duren reflected afterward, “Emotions were flaring. At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard. This isn’t the first time that people have tried to be extra aggressive with us.”
Bridges issued an apology on Instagram: “Sorry Hornets nation! Sorry Hornets Organization! Always going to protect my teammates forever.”
Hornets coach Charles Lee received an ejection later for arguing a call. He admitted, “I’ve got to have a little bit better emotional control in that moment.” On the brawl, he noted, “Two guys got in a heated conversation and then it kind of spiraled from there.”
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his team: “Our guys deal with a lot, but they’re not the ones that initiated, they’re not the ones who crossed the line tonight. It was clear, through frustration because of what JD [Duren] was doing, that they crossed the line. I hate that it got as ugly as it got.” He added, “If a guy throws a punch at you, you have a responsibility to protect yourself.”
Game Resumes and Pistons Prevail
Play resumed after a significant delay, and the Pistons secured a 110-104 victory.
