Four players were ejected after a wild brawl broke out during an NBA clash between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday (AEDT).
Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were tossed, along with Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, while Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected in the fourth quarter after he had to be restrained from going after an official while arguing a call.
Detroit won the game 110-104, with the loss ending the Hornets’ bid to match a franchise record with 10 straight wins.
READ MORE: Star grilled after company makes millions on trade rumour
READ MORE: Why ‘well and happy’ rugby star died suddenly at 25
READ MORE: Moses brushes off ‘short-sighted’ critics of odd Pezet deal
Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate.
Moussa Diabate fights Jalen Duren. Getty
The two appeared to butt heads after coming together, before Duren hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds and ultimately ended with a brief police presence on the floor.
Tobias Harris was holding Diabate back, but he threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges charged at him, throwing a left-handed punch. Duren retaliated with a punch. Diabate attempted to charge again at Duren and had to be held back.
Stewart then left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the players tussled, before Stewart got Bridges in a headlock and delivered multiple left-handed blows to his head during the scuffle.
Duren called it an “overly competitive game.”
“Emotions were flaring,” Duren said. “At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard.”
Hornets and Pistons players are separated. Getty
Duren said that opposing NBA teams have been trying to “get in our head” all season.
“This isn’t the first time that people have tried to be like extra aggressive with us and talk to us, whatever the case may be,” Duren said.
“But as a group we have done an OK job of handling that energy and intensity. At the end of the day, emotions got high with everybody being competitive. Things happen.”
Duren did not say how the fight started, referring reporters instead to the video replays.
Charlotte did not make Bridges and Diabate available for interviews after the game – however, Bridges took to Instagram to apologise.
“Sorry Hornets nation! Always gonna protect my teammates forever.”
Tensions continued to mount at the Spectrum Center after the fight.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 09: Charles Lee of the Charlotte Hornets is held back by Brandon Miller #24 while reacting to a call made by referee John Goble #10 during the second half of a basketball game against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center on February 09, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Getty
Midway through the fourth quarter, coach Lee was ejected and had to be restrained by Hornets guard Brandon Miller while yelling at officials for a no-call after Charlotte’s Grant Williams collided with Detroit’s Paul Reed.
“Grant was walking down the paint and barely touched somebody and the guy fell over and that is what we are going to call a foul,” Lee said.
“They have a hard job to make these calls, but I don’t think that was the consistency with which that had been called the rest of the game.”
As for being ejected, Lee said he has to have more control of emotions moving forward.