By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A heated altercation overshadowed the Detroit Pistons’ 110–104 win over the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center, with four players ejected following a mass brawl in the third quarter.
The incident erupted with 7:09 left in the period when Hornets center Moussa Diabate fouled Pistons big man Jalen Duren. The two exchanged words after the whistle and appeared to make head-to-head contact, prompting Duren to push Diabate away. The situation quickly escalated as Miles Bridges stepped in for Charlotte, while Detroit forward Isaiah Stewart left the bench and confronted Bridges near midcourt.
Diabate had to be restrained by multiple players and staff members as he continued attempting to strike Duren, while Stewart and Bridges became entangled in a separate confrontation. The scuffle lasted roughly 30 seconds and briefly drew a police presence onto the court.
Officials assessed double technical fouls to Diabate, Duren, Bridges and Stewart, ejecting all four for fighting during a dead ball. Hornets head coach Charles Lee was later ejected in the fourth quarter after angrily disputing a call.
After the game, Duren said emotions “got high with everybody being competitive,” while Bridges issued an apology to Hornets fans on social media.