Things got ugly between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 9 at Spectrum Center. Tensions escalated, and fighting ensued, with players throwing multiple punches, and one even leaving the bench to join the fray. The NBA handed out multiple suspensions of varying lengths for the altercation.
NBA Announces Punishments for Players Involved in the Scuffle
The fight broke out after Moussa Diabaté fouled Jalen Duren early in the third quarter. The Pistons’ All-Star felt Diabaté committed a hard foul and took exception. They got in each other’s faces, and chaos unfolded as both players, along with other teammates, threw punches.
The league penalized four players, two from each team, for the incident. Pistons centers Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren will miss the next seven and two games, respectively. Hornets forward Miles Bridges and center Moussa Diabaté will both sit out the next four contests. The NBA factored in the players’ roles in the fight and prior unsportsmanlike acts when determining their suspension lengths.
Detroit center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended seven games and star Jalen Duren suspended four games. Charlotte forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate each suspended four games. pic.twitter.com/NiKPQdXtBd
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 11, 2026
Stewart got seven games for “leaving the bench area, aggressively entering an on-court altercation, and fighting.” This incident marks the fifth suspension of his six-year NBA career, bringing his total to 15 games missed for unsportsmanlike conduct. His controversial history played a big role in receiving the harshest punishment. Stewart left the bench to join the fight, resulting in an automatic increase to his suspension.
When on-court scuffles break out, assistant coaches often stand in front of their benches to block players. However, the Pistons’ staff could not stop Stewart from hurting the team and himself for the next seven contests.
Duren initiated the altercation and fought, but received the shortest suspension. He did not escalate the situation as Stewart, Bridges, or Diabaté did. The Hornets’ players received four games for fighting and escalating the situation. Duren and Stewart begin their suspensions on Feb. 11 when the Pistons face the Toronto Raptors. Diabaté and Bridges start serving their suspensions on the same day when the Atlanta Hawks visit Charlotte.
The Pistons lost their starting and backup center. This likely means Paul Reed will play at least 30 minutes at center over the next two games until Duren returns. Two-way center Tolu Smith could also see some extra playing time if he recovers from a calf injury.
The Hornets will be without two starters for the next four games. Rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner likely takes Diabaté’s center spot. The 7-foot-1 center started 26 contests earlier in the campaign. Hornets head coach Charles Lee could look to veteran Grant Williams to replace Bridges. He has played 13 games after recovering from the torn right ACL. The 27-year-old made his season debut on Jan. 10.
