NBA Hands Suspensions After Pistons-Hornets Altercation

The NBA has handed down multiple suspensions following an on-court altercation during the Detroit Pistons’ 110-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on February 9 at the Spectrum Center.

Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations James Jones announced that Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended seven games. The league stated that Stewart left the bench area, aggressively entered the altercation, and engaged in fighting. The length of the suspension was influenced in part by his repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.

Two Hornets players — forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté — have each received four-game suspensions for fighting and escalating the incident. Meanwhile, Pistons center Jalen Duren has been suspended two games for initiating the altercation and fighting.

The confrontation began with 7:09 remaining in the third quarter when Diabaté committed a defensive foul on Duren. The situation quickly intensified, drawing multiple players into the fray. Officials assessed technical fouls to all four players involved and ejected them from the contest.

Despite the disruption, Detroit held on to secure the six-point win.

The suspensions will take effect immediately. Stewart and Duren are set to begin serving their penalties when the Pistons travel to face the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Bridges and Diabaté will start their suspensions when the Hornets host the Atlanta Hawks at Spectrum Center.

The league’s firm response underscores its continued emphasis on maintaining discipline and deterring in-game altercations. With key rotation players sidelined on both sides, the suspensions are likely to impact upcoming matchups as teams adjust to the absence of key contributors.