Pistons' Isaiah Stewart Ejected After Brawl, Drops F-Bomb

Stewart defended his actions after being thrown out of the game against the Hornets.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 11:23am

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During a game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets, a brawl broke out on the court, leading to the ejection of four players, including Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons. After being ejected, Stewart was caught on camera dropping an F-bomb while defending his actions, saying he wasn't going to just stand on the bench.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the physical and emotional nature of NBA games, where tensions can boil over into on-court altercations. Stewart has a history of being involved in such incidents, including a previous fight with LeBron James, which led to a suspension. This latest outburst also connects to the Pistons' reputation for physical, aggressive play, dating back to the "Bad Boy Pistons" era.

The details

The brawl started after Jalen Duren pushed Moussa Diabate following a foul. Both teams had to be separated, and then Stewart came off the bench to attack Miles Bridges after Bridges had thrown a punch at Duren. Stewart, Bridges, Duren, and Diabate were all ejected from the game, and Hornets head coach Charles Lee was also ejected for arguing with the referees.

  • The incident occurred during the third quarter of the Pistons-Hornets game on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Isaiah Stewart

A power forward for the Detroit Pistons who is known for his physical, aggressive play and has been involved in previous on-court altercations, including a fight with LeBron James in 2021 that led to a suspension.

Miles Bridges

A small forward for the Charlotte Hornets who was ejected from the game for his role in the brawl.

Jalen Duren

A center for the Detroit Pistons who was involved in the initial push that sparked the brawl.

Moussa Diabate

A power forward for the Detroit Pistons who was involved in the initial push that sparked the brawl.

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets who was ejected from the game for arguing with the referees.

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What they’re saying

“You don't expect me to stand on the bench... F*ck, I was drafted to Detroit for.”

— Isaiah Stewart

What’s next

The NBA is likely to review the incident and hand down suspensions to the players involved, with Stewart potentially facing additional discipline due to his history of on-court altercations.

The takeaway

The brawl between the Pistons and Hornets is the latest example of the physical, emotional nature of NBA games, where tensions can boil over into violence. It also connects to the Pistons' reputation for aggressive, physical play, dating back to the "Bad Boy Pistons" era, and highlights the challenges the league faces in maintaining order and sportsmanship on the court.