{"id":600519,"date":"2026-02-13T08:40:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T08:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/600519\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T08:40:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T08:40:50","slug":"stewart-suspended-7-games-3-others-penalized-for-fighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/600519\/","title":{"rendered":"Stewart suspended 7 games, 3 others penalized for fighting"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) \u2014 Detroit center Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven games by the NBA on Wednesday, while three other players were also penalized for their roles\u00a0in a fight<\/a>\u00a0during a game between the Pistons and Charlotte Hornets.<\/p>\n

What You Need To Know<\/p>\n

An on-court fight erupted in the third quarter of the Pistons-Hornets game Monday night in Charlotte
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The NBA on Tuesday penalized the four players involved in the melee
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Detroit center Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven games,\u00a0Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabat\u00e9 each were suspended four games and\u00a0Pistons center Jalen Duren was suspended two games
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The suspensions begin immediately, and Bridges and Diabat\u00e9 will be out Wednesday night when the Hornets host the Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n

Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabat\u00e9 were each suspended four games for fighting and escalating the altercation, while Pistons center Jalen Duren got two games for initiating the altercation and fighting, the league announced.<\/p>\n

But the heaviest penalty went to Stewart, with the league saying it was based in part on his \u201crepeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.\u201d The league said he left the bench area, aggressively entered an on-court altercation and fought during Monday night\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

The suspensions will begin immediately, with Stewart and Duren missing Wednesday night\u2019s game against the Toronto Raptors. Bridges and Diabat\u00e9 will be out Wednesday night as the Hornets host the Atlanta Hawks.<\/p>\n

Stewart has been suspended five times, including once for an altercation with LeBron James in 2021. Stewart\u00a0was suspended twice last season,\u00a0including in April<\/a>\u00a0in an altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves that spilled into the stands.<\/p>\n

Diabat\u00e9, Bridges, Duren and Stewart were all ejected from the Pistons\u2019 110-104 win after a melee in the third quarter.<\/p>\n

Duren was driving toward the basket when he was fouled by Diabat\u00e9. Duren turned around to get face-to-face with Diabat\u00e9 and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then hit Diabat\u00e9 in the face with his open hand.<\/p>\n

While Pistons forward Tobias Harris was holding Diabat\u00e9 back, Diabat\u00e9 threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges charged at him, throwing a left-handed punch. Duren retaliated with a punch.\u00a0Diabat\u00e9 tried to charge again at Duren and was held back.<\/p>\n

Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the players tussled. At one point, Stewart rushed to throw a punch at Bridges and missed, but Stewart appeared to get Bridges in a headlock and delivered multiple left-handed blows toward his head.<\/p>\n

Duren spoke after the game, calling it an \u201coverly competitive game,\u201d adding that \u201cemotions were flaring. At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

After practice Tuesday,\u00a0Diabat\u00e9 apologized to the Hornets organization and to the fans for his role in the altercation and vowed not to let it happen again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he put his hand in my face, that\u2019s when I think I lost control of it,\u201d\u00a0Diabat\u00e9 said.<\/p>\n

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his players after the game.<\/p>\n

Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected and had to be restrained by Hornets guard Brandon Miller while yelling at officials for a no-call after Charlotte\u2019s Grant Williams collided with Detroit\u2019s Paul Reed.<\/p>\n

The Pistons are in first place in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is fighting for a playoff spot and had won nine straight games \u2014 one shy of tying a franchise record \u2014 before losing to the Pistons.<\/p>\n

Follow us on Instagram at\u00a0spectrumnews1nc<\/a>\u00a0for news and other happenings across North Carolina.<\/p>\n