Detroit, Michigan, February 12, 2026
The NBA has announced severe penalties for players involved in a brawl during the recent game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets. Isaiah Stewart received a seven-game suspension for leaving the bench, while Jalen Duren, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté faced suspensions of two and four games respectively. The incident escalated following a hard foul, resulting in nearly $2 million lost in salaries due to the suspensions. The league’s decisive action underscores its commitment to maintaining sportsmanship and order within the game.
Detroit, Michigan
NBA Issues Substantial Penalties Following Pistons-Hornets Brawl
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has delivered a significant disciplinary ruling, imposing suspensions and hefty fines on four players involved in a heated on-court altercation during Monday night’s game between the Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets. The incident, which saw players leaving the bench and engaging in physical confrontation, has resulted in a combined forfeiture of nearly $2 million in player salaries. Detroit’s forward, Isaiah Stewart, received the most severe punishment, a seven-game suspension without pay, primarily for leaving the bench area to join the fray and his history of unsportsmanlike conduct.
The brawl, which unfolded in the third quarter of the Pistons’ 110-104 victory over the Hornets on February 10, 2026, involved players from both teams and led to multiple ejections. Along with Stewart, Pistons center Jalen Duren was suspended for two games, while Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté each received four-game suspensions.
Incident Details and Player Actions
The chaotic scene erupted midway through the third quarter after a hard defensive foul committed by Charlotte’s Moussa Diabaté on Detroit’s Jalen Duren. The situation quickly escalated when Duren confronted Diabaté, pushing him in the face. Diabaté retaliated by throwing a punch, intensifying the confrontation.
As officials attempted to regain control, Miles Bridges of the Hornets charged into the altercation and threw a punch at Duren, who responded with a punch of his own. It was at this point that Isaiah Stewart notably rushed from the Pistons’ bench area to confront Bridges. Stewart then briefly placed Bridges in a headlock and delivered multiple punches before teammates, coaches, and arena security personnel intervened to separate the players.
All four players involved – Stewart, Duren, Bridges, and Diabaté – were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game. Hornets coach Charles Lee was also ejected following an official review of the incident. The altercation briefly brought a police presence onto the court as order was restored.
League Justification for Penalties
In its official announcement of the discipline on February 11, 2026, the league cited several key factors in determining the severity of each player’s punishment. These included participation in the fight, escalation of the altercation, and, critically, Stewart’s action of leaving the bench area.
NBA rules strictly prohibit players not actively participating in a game from leaving the bench during an on-court altercation. Violators are typically subject to automatic suspensions and fines, with the severity often increasing based on the player’s history and the extent of their involvement. Stewart’s previous disciplinary record was a significant factor in his seven-game suspension.
Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté received four-game suspensions for their roles in escalating the incident, particularly for throwing punches. Jalen Duren’s two-game suspension was for initiating the confrontation. The league consistently aims to deter such physical altercations to maintain the integrity and sportsmanship of the game.
Financial Impact of Suspensions
The suspensions carry substantial financial consequences for the players. Isaiah Stewart will forfeit $724,138 of his salary. Miles Bridges will lose $689,655. Jalen Duren’s suspension will cost him $89,423, and Moussa Diabaté will forfeit $62,641. The total sum of nearly $2 million underscores the significant financial penalties imposed by the league for such misconduct. These financial repercussions are in addition to the competitive impact on both teams, as they will be without key players for upcoming games.
The suspensions take effect immediately. Stewart and Duren began serving their suspensions with Detroit’s next scheduled game. Bridges and Diabaté commenced their suspensions with Charlotte’s subsequent fixture.
The NBA’s swift and decisive action reinforces its commitment to upholding standards of conduct and preventing the escalation of on-court disputes. The league’s disciplinary measures serve as a clear message that aggressive and unsportsmanlike behavior will be met with significant consequences, both in terms of playing time and financial loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What happened during the Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets game?
- A heated on-court altercation, described as a brawl, occurred during the third quarter of the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets on February 10, 2026.
- Which players were involved in the altercation and received penalties?
- Four players were penalized: Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren, and Charlotte’s Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté.
- What was Isaiah Stewart’s penalty?
- Isaiah Stewart received a seven-game suspension without pay for leaving the bench area to join the altercation and due to his history of unsportsmanlike conduct. He will forfeit $724,138 in salary.
- What were the penalties for Jalen Duren, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté?
- Jalen Duren received a two-game suspension for starting the confrontation, forfeiting $89,423. Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté each received four-game suspensions for escalating the incident and throwing punches, forfeiting $689,655 and $62,641 respectively.
- What triggered the fight between the Pistons and Hornets players?
- The altercation was triggered by a hard defensive foul committed by Charlotte’s Moussa Diabaté on Detroit’s Jalen Duren, which quickly escalated into physical confrontation.
- Why were these specific penalties imposed by the NBA?
- The NBA’s disciplinary ruling cited fighting, escalation of the altercation, and Stewart’s action of leaving the bench area as key factors. The league imposes such penalties to uphold standards of conduct and deter unsportsmanlike behavior.
Summary of Penalties
| Player Name | Team | Penalty | Reason for Penalty | Salary Forfeited (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Stewart | Detroit Pistons | 7-game suspension | Leaving the bench, escalating altercation, history of unsportsmanlike conduct | $724,138 |
| Miles Bridges | Charlotte Hornets | 4-game suspension | Escalating altercation, throwing punches | $689,655 |
| Moussa Diabaté | Charlotte Hornets | 4-game suspension | Escalating altercation, throwing punches, initial confrontation | $62,641 |
| Jalen Duren | Detroit Pistons | 2-game suspension | Starting the confrontation | $89,423 |
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