A tense moment turned into a major on-court incident during the Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets game on February 9, 2026. A physical altercation in the third quarter led to four players being ejected, including Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Despite the disruption, the Pistons held their composure and secured a 118–114 win, strengthening their position at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The incident has now caught the attention of the NBA, with a league review underway and possible suspensions expected.
What Triggered the On-Court Brawl?
The situation unfolded late in the third quarter when Detroit was leading 78–72. A minor physical exchange between Pistons center Jalen Duren and a Hornets player quickly escalated.
Jalen Duren RAN AWAY from Moussa
— Logion Noops (@LogionNoops) February 10, 2026
ISAIAH STEWART PUNCHED MILES BRIDGES 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/CArw5GrF0o
Moments later, Isaiah Stewart stepped in and pushed an opposing player, which intensified the situation. Within seconds, players from both benches rushed onto the court, leading to heavy shoving and brief physical confrontation.
Officials acted quickly to restore order and reviewed the sequence before issuing multiple ejections.
Players Ejected from the Game
| Team | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | Jalen Duren | Center |
| Detroit Pistons | Isaiah Stewart | Forward/Center |
| Charlotte Hornets | Miles Bridges | Forward |
| Charlotte Hornets | One additional player | Not officially confirmed |
The ejections left Detroit with a shorter rotation for the remainder of the game, but the team responded strongly under pressure.
Match Result and Key Performances
Despite losing key players, the Pistons showed strong resilience in the fourth quarter. Star guard Cade Cunningham stepped up with 12 points in the final period, helping Detroit close out the game.
Match Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Pistons 118 – 114 Hornets |
| Venue | Charlotte |
| Pistons Record | 39–13 (1st in East) |
| Hornets Record | 25–29 |
| Pistons Streak | 4 consecutive wins |
The win further strengthens Detroit’s position as one of the top teams in the conference this season.
NBA Investigation and Possible Suspensions
The NBA has officially launched a review of the incident. Based on league discipline history, players involved in physical altercations or leaving the bench area could face 1–3 game suspensions, along with possible fines.
Thank you Jalen Duren and Isiah Stewart 🙏, Rockets may get the Hornets without Bridges and Diabate.
— J Milli (@HEBenjoyer) February 10, 2026
Give them 2 games Silver!
pic.twitter.com/wEStt3NmuX
Detroit’s coaching staff emphasized that the team does not support any form of on-court violence and praised the players who maintained focus after the incident. Charlotte’s coaching side also called the situation unfortunate and confirmed they would respect the league’s decision.
Impact on Both Teams
For Detroit, the immediate concern is potential short-term suspensions that could affect rotation depth during a crucial stretch of the season. However, the team’s strong form and depth have helped them maintain momentum.
For Charlotte, the loss ended a positive run and pushed them further away from the play-in positions, making upcoming games even more important.
On social media, the incident quickly went viral, with #NBABrawl and #PistonsHornets trending as fans reacted to both the altercation and Detroit’s comeback performance.
The NBA is expected to announce disciplinary actions soon. Any suspensions for key Detroit players like Duren or Stewart could influence upcoming matchups, especially as the playoff race intensifies.
While the game delivered high drama, both teams will now look to move forward and focus on basketball as the regular season enters a critical phase.
