NBA suspends four players after Pistons-Hornets brawl; Isaiah Stewart gets seven games

The NBA has handed down suspensions and fines following Monday night’s brawl between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets that resulted in four player ejections.

Isaiah Stewart received the most severe penalty: a seven-game suspension. Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate were each suspended four games, while Jalen Duren will miss two games. According to the league, Stewart’s punishment was harsher because he left the bench area to join the altercation and due to his prior disciplinary history.

The NBA confirmed the punishment via a release, stating, “Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended seven games for leaving the bench area, aggressively entering on-court altercation, and fighting, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. The length of Stewart’s suspension is based on his repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.

“Additionally, Charlotte Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate have each been suspended four games for fighting and escalating the altercation, and Pistons center Jalen Duren has been suspended two games for initiating the altercation and fighting.

“The incident began when Diabate committed a defensive foul on Duren with 7:09 remaining in the third quarter of the Pistons’ 110-104 victory over the Hornets on February 9 at Spectrum Center. All four players were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.

“Stewart and Duren will begin serving their suspensions tomorrow when the Pistons visit the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Bridges and Diabate will also begin serving their suspensions tomorrow when the Hornets host the Atlanta Hawks at Spectrum Center,” the statement read.

PISTONS AND HORNETS GET INTO IT!!! 😳😳

4 EJECTIONS. 4!!! pic.twitter.com/Gcl67LCh0s

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 10, 2026

Tensions boiled over during multiple skirmishes in Monday’s matchup. The initial incident began when Diabate fouled Duren. After a brief exchange of words, Duren shoved Diabate in the face. Diabate responded by charging at Duren, igniting a larger confrontation before officials intervened. Bridges then escalated the situation by charging at Duren and throwing a punch, and Stewart left the bench to involve himself in the scuffle. Following a lengthy review, officials ejected Stewart, Bridges, Diabate, Duren, and Hornets head coach Charles Lee.

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Despite the chaos, Detroit secured the win and continues to lead the Eastern Conference at 39-13, holding the second-best record in the NBA. Duren has been instrumental in the Pistons’ rise, averaging 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game while consistently producing double-doubles as the team’s starting center. He is reportedly still eligible to participate in this weekend’s All-Star Game despite the suspension.

Stewart, Detroit’s backup center, plays a critical role as the team’s enforcer and physical presence. Though he averages a modest 10 points and five rebounds per game, his energy and toughness are key components of the Pistons’ identity. His absence over the next seven games will test Detroit’s depth.

For Charlotte, the suspensions come at a particularly challenging time. The Hornets sit at 25-29 and cling to a one-game lead over 11th-place Chicago in the race for the final Eastern Conference play-in spot. Losing Bridges — who averages 18.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game — for four games is a significant blow. Diabate, the team’s leading rebounder at 8.6 boards per contest, will also be sidelined during a crucial stretch.

In addition to the suspensions, the league issued fines to the players involved. Stewart was fined $724,138, Bridges $689,655, Duren $89,423, and Diabate $62,641.

After the game, Duren characterized the incident as the product of an “overly competitive game,” adding that the Pistons have faced adversity throughout the season and have responded to every challenge.

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