Charlotte, N.C., Feb. 9, 2026 — A third-quarter fight at Spectrum Center led to the ejections of Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and forward Isaiah Stewart, along with Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges and center Moussa Diabate. Detroit went on to beat Charlotte 110-104.
The confrontation began with 7:02 left in the third period. Duren was driving to the rim when Diabate fouled him. The two stood chest-to-chest, briefly knocked heads, and Duren shoved Diabate in the face with an open hand. Players from both teams then swarmed, and the altercation stretched for more than 30 seconds, drawing a brief police presence onto the court.
While Detroit forward Tobias Harris tried to restrain Diabate, the Hornets center swung at Duren. Bridges then charged Duren and threw a left-handed punch, prompting Duren to swing back. Diabate attempted another run at Duren before being held back. Stewart left the Pistons bench area, grabbed Bridges in a headlock, and landed several left-handed blows.
After video review, crew chief John Goble announced that all four players “engaged in fighting activity during the dead ball” and, under league rules, were ejected.
Postgame, Duren called the matchup an “overly competitive game” and said opponents have tried all season to unsettle Detroit with extra physical play. “Emotions were flaring,” he said. “At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen.”
Hornets coach Charles Lee, who described the incident as spiraling from a heated exchange, was tossed midway through the fourth quarter after berating officials over a no-call involving Charlotte’s Grant Williams and Detroit’s Paul Reed. Forward Brandon Miller restrained Lee as he argued. “I have to have more control of my emotions,” Lee said afterward.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his players. “Our guys weren’t the ones who initiated,” he said. “If a guy throws a punch at you, you have a responsibility to protect yourself.”
The Hornets did not make Bridges or Diabate available to reporters, but Bridges later posted on Instagram: “Sorry Hornets Nation! … Always gonna protect my teammates forever.”
Detroit’s victory moved the Pistons to 110-104 on the night; no further details on potential league discipline were announced.
Source: ESPN
