NBA Suspends Four Players After Pistons-Hornets Brawl

Incident leads to multiple game suspensions and hefty fines for players involved.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The NBA has handed down suspensions to four players following a heated altercation during Monday night's game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets. Detroit's Isaiah Stewart received the most severe penalty, suspended seven games for leaving the bench and escalating the fight. Pistons center Jalen Duren and Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate were also suspended for multiple games and fined significant amounts.

Why it matters

On-court fights and brawls are rare but highly impactful events in the NBA, often leading to suspensions, fines, and damaged team chemistry. This incident highlights the league's zero-tolerance policy for such behavior and the consequences players face when they allow emotions to boil over during games.

The details

The clash erupted midway through the third quarter when Diabate committed a hard defensive foul on Duren. Duren confronted Diabate, and the exchange quickly intensified, with Duren pushing Diabate in the face. As officials tried to restore order, Bridges charged in and threw a punch, prompting Stewart to rush off the bench. Stewart and Bridges then became entangled, with Stewart briefly placing Bridges in a headlock and throwing multiple punches.

  • The incident occurred during the third quarter of Monday night's game between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets.
  • The suspensions will take effect this week, with Stewart and Duren sitting out when Detroit visits the Toronto Raptors, and Bridges and Diabate missing games when Charlotte hosts the Atlanta Hawks.

The players

Isaiah Stewart

A Detroit Pistons player who received the most severe suspension of seven games for leaving the bench and escalating the fight.

Jalen Duren

A Detroit Pistons center who received a two-game suspension for starting the confrontation.

Miles Bridges

A Charlotte Hornets forward who was suspended for four games for escalating the incident by throwing a punch.

Moussa Diabate

A Charlotte Hornets forward who was suspended for four games for his role in escalating the fight.

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What they’re saying

“Emotions were flaring. At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard.”

— Jalen Duren, Pistons Center (dailyfly.com)

“Sorry Hornets nation! Sorry Hornets Organization.! Always gonna protect my teammates forever.”

— Miles Bridges (Instagram)

What’s next

The suspended players will begin serving their penalties this week, with Stewart and Duren sitting out when Detroit visits Toronto, and Bridges and Diabate missing games when Charlotte hosts Atlanta.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the NBA's strict stance against on-court altercations, with the league handing down significant suspensions and fines to deter such behavior and protect the integrity of the game. Players must learn to keep their emotions in check, even in the heat of competition.