Detroit Pistons star Isaiah Stewart is once again at the center of NBA controversy after a heated on-court brawl. The instance occurred during the Pistons’ matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. And it appears the 24-year-old could be handed a significant punishment. Tensions were seemingly at an all-time high midway through the third quarter after a hard foul near the rim involving Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Charlotte forward Moussa Diabate.
What initially appeared to be standard physical play soon turned into a shoving match, with players from both teams exchanging words and pushing one another. Within seconds, the situation spiraled out of control as more players rushed in.
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Interestingly, Stewart, who was on the bench at the time, left his seat and ran onto the court while charging at Miles Bridges of the Hornets. NBA rules strictly prohibit players from leaving the bench area during such altercations, and such actions often lead to automatic suspensions.
Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks to Isaiah Stewart.Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
(Matt Krohn-Imagn Images)
Following the incident, Stewart, Duren, Diabate and Bridges were all ejected from the game. Despite the chaos, Detroit went on to close out a 110–104 win to end Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak. However, the result was quickly overshadowed by discussions around discipline.
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What did DeMarcus Cousins say about Isaiah Stewart’s potential suspension?
Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins weighed in on the situation on the “Run It Back” show. Surprisingly, Cousins predicted that Stewart could be suspended for 20 to 25 games. He pointed to two major factors: Stewart’s decision to leave the bench and his history of on-court incidents.
Former three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams also commented on the expected punishment, jokingly calling it “a 10 piece lemon pepper, extra crispy,” while stressing that Stewart is not a first-time offender. That said, the NBA is expected to review video footage, referee reports and prior disciplinary history before announcing any suspensions.
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While no official ruling has been released yet, the third-quarter brawl and Stewart’s role in escalating it have fueled widespread belief that a lengthy suspension is looming. Until the league makes its decision, Stewart’s status remains uncertain, but the Pistons may need to prepare for a prolonged absence if the predictions prove accurate.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.