The Hornets-Pistons brawl that erupted Monday night turned a competitive matchup into one of the most chaotic scenes of the NBA season, resulting in four player ejections and looming suspensions.
Officials tossed Hornets forward Miles Bridges and center Moussa Diabate along with Detroit’s bigs Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart following a melee that saw punches thrown, benches clear, and social media comparisons to the infamous “Malice at the Palace.”
Hornets-Pistons Erupts in Chaos: 4 Players Ejected After Brawl
How It Started: Diabate-Duren Flashpoint
The incident occurred with just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, with Detroit holding a 70-62 lead. Duren drove toward the basket when Diabate committed a hard foul to stop the play.
What happened next transformed a routine foul into one of the ugliest scenes of the NBA season.
Duren immediately turned around to confront Diabate, and the two players went face-to-face in what appeared to be a head-butt exchange. Duren then struck Diabate in the face with an open-handed slap or push, igniting a 30-plus second confrontation that engulfed both benches.
While Pistons forward Tobias Harris attempted to hold Diabate back, the Hornets’ center completely lost his composure and threw a punch at Duren. Even as teammates, coaches, and officials worked to restrain him, Diabate broke free multiple times in attempts to get at the Pistons center, at one point having to be physically held down in a chair to prevent him from re-engaging.
Feb 9, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) collide at the rim during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Bridges and Stewart Enter the Fray
Just as it appeared that the situation de-escalated, Bridges charged across the court at Duren, throwing a left-handed punch that reignited the chaos. Duren retaliated with a punch of his own, though video replay suggests neither blow landed cleanly.
The involvement of Bridges triggered an immediate response from Stewart, who left the bench area to confront the Hornets forward. The two then engaged in their own altercation, throwing punches as security personnel and coaching staffs scrambled to separate them.
The video footage that quickly went viral on social media captured the full scope of the brawl. Multiple angles showed players swinging, coaches desperately trying to restore order, and a Spectrum Center crowd witnessing scenes unprecedented during the Hornets’ winning streak.
Absolute CHAOS at The Hive tonight! Moussa Diabate and Jalen Duren were teeing it up all game. Both throwing punches. Miles Bridges and Isaiah Stewart also went at it. Insane, wild scenes.
Shades of Malice at the Palace.
All 4 were ejected. Holy hell. pic.twitter.com/dGzTxv6Fg3
— Joey Ellis (@Jellis1016) February 10, 2026
The Aftermath: Ejections and Potential Suspensions
After an extended review, officials assessed fighting fouls to all four principals: Diabate, Bridges, Duren, and Stewart. In the NBA, fighting fouls carry automatic ejections, and all four players were sent to their respective locker rooms with a significant portion of the game remaining.
The Pistons ended up winning 110-104, snapping Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak. But the on-court result quickly became secondary to the discipline questions facing both franchises.
Adding to the drama, Hornets head coach Charles Lee was also ejected later in the fourth quarter after charging toward a referee following a foul call on Grant Williams. Lee had to be physically restrained by Brandon Miller, capping a night of frustration for the home team.
What Happens Next: Suspensions Likely
The NBA will review video from every angle to determine supplemental discipline beyond the in-game ejections. Several factors will influence the league’s decision.
Who Threw Punches
Video clearly shows all four players—Diabate, Bridges, Duren, and Stewart—throwing punches, which typically results in automatic suspensions.
Bench Violations
Stewart’s decision to leave the bench area represents a serious violation. The NBA has shown zero tolerance for this since the “Malice at the Palace” in 2004, even for players who don’t engage physically.
Stewart’s History
This looms largest for Isaiah Stewart, who was suspended two games in 2021 after repeatedly trying to charge at LeBron James following an elbow to the face. Stewart’s pattern of volatile reactions makes him particularly vulnerable to a multi-game suspension, especially combined with leaving the bench to confront Bridges.
Impact on Both Teams
For the Hornets, the timing couldn’t be worse. Charlotte has Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks before the All-Star break. Losing Bridges and Diabate, even for just one game, would significantly impact their rotation.
Bridges, despite his 1-for-6 shooting performance in the game, remains a critical piece of Charlotte’s lineup. His ejection after just 20 minutes meant the Hornets finished the game without one of their primary veteran contributors during a crucial stretch.
The team will also miss Diabate’s energy and rebounding as they have been valuable during the winning streak.
For Detroit, losing Duren means surrendering their starting center and one of their top rebounders and rim protectors. Stewart’s potential suspension would thin the Pistons’ frontcourt depth. However, his bench role makes his absence somewhat easier to absorb.
What Could Have Been
Lost in the chaos is the game that was unfolding before the brawl erupted. The Hornets, riding their nine-game winning streak and playing inspired basketball, were battling the Eastern Conference’s top team in a game that held significant playoff implications for Charlotte.
Down just eight points when the fight occurred, the Hornets still had reasonable hopes of extending their streak to double digits against an elite opponent. Instead, the loss of Bridges and Diabate, combined with the emotional toll of the incident, contributed to Detroit pulling away for the 110-104 victory.
The winning streak that had transformed Charlotte’s season and energized their fanbase ended not with a valiant effort falling short, but with their players throwing punches and getting ejected from what should have been the biggest statement game of their resurgence.
The Last Word
The NBA will likely announce suspensions within 24-48 hours after completing its video review. Based on precedent and the severity of the incident, here’s what each player could be facing:
Moussa Diabate: 1-2 games. He threw punches and repeatedly tried to re-engage after being separated. His persistence in trying to get at Duren will draw significant discipline.
Miles Bridges: 1-2 games. He went over to confront Duren and threw a punch. The fact that he wasn’t initially involved but chose to escalate works against him.
Jalen Duren: 1-3 games. The initial slap/push to Diabate’s face could be viewed as the primary escalation of the incident. Duren also threw a punch at Bridges.
Isaiah Stewart: 2-5 games. He left the bench area to engage in the altercation, combining two of the league’s most serious violations. His prior discipline history makes a multi-game suspension highly likely.
The league’s decision will set the tone for how it handles fighting incidents for the remainder of the season. With playoff races tightening and tensions rising, Monday’s brawl serves as a reminder that emotions can boil over quickly, and the consequences extend far beyond the game in which they occur.
For now, both teams await word from the NBA on what price their players will pay for Monday night’s chaos. The only certainty is that what should have been remembered as a competitive game between playoff contenders will instead be defined by punches thrown and players ejected. It’s a black mark on what had been a jubilant stretch for the Hornets and a dominant season for the Pistons.
© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images