Bench-Clearing Brawl Erupts During Pistons-Hornets NBA Game

Altercation leads to four player ejections and brief police presence on the court.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A defensive foul by Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate triggered a melee during Monday's NBA game against the Detroit Pistons. The incident resulted in four player ejections and a brief police presence on the court. The physical confrontation lasted less than a minute before officials were able to restore order.

Why it matters

The Pistons-Hornets matchup featured high stakes, with Detroit leading the Eastern Conference and Charlotte fighting for a playoff spot. The game's intensity was already building, with the Pistons known for their physical style of play. The bench-clearing brawl highlights the emotional nature of NBA rivalries and the challenges officials face in maintaining control during heated moments.

The details

With 7:09 remaining in the third quarter and Detroit leading 70-62, Pistons center Jalen Duren received an inbounds pass and drove aggressively to the basket. Hornets forward Moussa Diabate committed a hard foul, though not a flagrant one. Duren then got into Diabate's face, and the two appeared to butt heads before Duren shoved his hand into Diabate's cheek. Diabate reacted by swinging at Duren and overpowering teammates and security in an effort to get to him. Hornets forward Miles Bridges then went after Duren, prompting Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart to leave the bench area and attack Bridges.

  • The incident occurred with 7:09 remaining in the third quarter.

The players

Jalen Duren

A Pistons center who ranks eighth in the NBA in rebounds per game.

Moussa Diabate

A Hornets forward who has held his own in the hustle-and-toughness-measuring rebounding category.

Miles Bridges

A Hornets forward.

Isaiah Stewart

A Pistons forward who left the bench area to join the altercation.

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What they’re saying

“This is out of control.”

— Eric Collins, Hornets' play-by-play announcer (ESPN)

“They got a reputation. They're gonna play physical, grab, hold, hit, and dare the officials to blow the whistle.”

— Dell Curry, Hornets' color analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The NBA is expected to review the incident and hand down suspensions to the players involved.

The takeaway

The bench-clearing brawl during the Pistons-Hornets game highlights the intense rivalries and physical nature of NBA basketball. The incident underscores the challenges officials face in maintaining control during heated moments and the potential consequences, such as player suspensions, that can result from on-court altercations.