Hornets Call Up G-League Center After Brawl With Pistons

Charlotte makes roster move in anticipation of suspensions following on-court fight.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The Charlotte Hornets have called up center PJ Hall from their G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, following a brawl with the Detroit Pistons. The fight broke out after a hard foul by Hornets center Moussa Diabate on Pistons rookie Jalen Duren, leading to the ejection of four players and Hornets head coach Charles Lee. With suspensions likely looming, the Hornets have proactively added Hall to their roster as a backup center behind Ryan Kalkbrenner.

Why it matters

The Hornets are in the midst of a 10-game winning streak and fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Losing key players like Diabate and leading scorer Brandon Miller to suspensions could significantly impact their push for the postseason.

The details

The fight began with a hard foul by Diabate on Duren, which escalated into the two players butting heads and Duren pushing Diabate's face. This led to a full-scale brawl, with both benches clearing and Hornets coach Lee also being ejected. While the NBA has yet to announce any suspensions, the Hornets have been proactive in calling up Hall from their G-League affiliate to provide additional frontcourt depth.

  • The fight occurred during the Hornets' game against the Pistons on February 10, 2026.
  • The Hornets called up PJ Hall from the Greensboro Swarm on February 11, 2026, in anticipation of potential suspensions.

The players

Moussa Diabate

Hornets center who was involved in the fight with Pistons rookie Jalen Duren.

Jalen Duren

Pistons rookie center who was involved in the fight with Hornets center Moussa Diabate.

Miles Bridges

Hornets veteran forward who came to the defense of Diabate during the fight.

Isaiah Stewart

Pistons veteran forward who came to the defense of Duren during the fight.

Charles Lee

Hornets head coach who was ejected from the game following a verbal altercation with the referees after the fight.

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What they’re saying

“It was fun. Next question.”

— Brandon Miller, Hornets leading scorer (Sporting News)

What’s next

The NBA is expected to announce suspensions for the players involved in the fight in the coming days. The Hornets will face the Atlanta Hawks on February 12, 2026, with the opportunity to move up in the Eastern Conference standings with a win.

The takeaway

The Hornets' proactive move to call up a backup center from their G-League affiliate highlights the importance of depth and preparation in the NBA, especially when dealing with the potential fallout from on-court altercations and suspensions.