Cade Cunningham Offers to Pay Isaiah Stewart's Massive Fine

The Detroit Pistons stars show their loyalty and brotherhood on and off the court.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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After Isaiah Stewart was slapped with a hefty six-figure fine following a scuffle with the Charlotte Hornets, his teammate Cade Cunningham stepped up and offered to pay the fine, calling Stewart his 'brother' and the 'best teammate you can ask for.' Cunningham, who is having an MVP-caliber season, said he would 'holler at him about that' and help out his teammate despite Stewart having the means to pay the fine himself.

Why it matters

This gesture by Cunningham highlights the strong team chemistry and brotherhood within the Detroit Pistons organization, which has helped fuel their turnaround season and rise to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. It also shows Cunningham's leadership and commitment to supporting his teammates, even when it comes with a significant financial cost.

The details

Last week, Isaiah Stewart was involved in a scuffle with the Charlotte Hornets that resulted in him being slapped with a massive $724,000 fine. However, his teammate Cade Cunningham quickly stepped up and said he would pay the fine for his 'brother.' Cunningham praised Stewart's competitive spirit and loyalty, saying he's 'the man' and the 'best teammate you can ask for.' Despite Stewart having the means to pay the fine himself, Cunningham wanted to show his support and appreciation for his teammate.

  • The incident between Isaiah Stewart and the Charlotte Hornets occurred last week.
  • Cade Cunningham made the comments about paying Stewart's fine during an interview on February 15, 2026.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons star guard who is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging 25 points per game and leading the NBA in assists.

Isaiah Stewart

The Detroit Pistons forward who was fined a hefty $724,000 for his involvement in a scuffle with the Charlotte Hornets.

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What they’re saying

“I would. That's my brother, man. He's, like you said, he's just the ultimate competitor. He's somebody that's going to have your back like nobody else. It's costly. It's costly, but he's the man. I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's the best teammate you can ask for, so yeah, I'll help him out a little bit. It's not even helping him out because he has the money for it, but it's just paying for that love and that loyalty that he brings every day. So, I feel that. I'm going to holler at him about that.”

— Cade Cunningham (Yardbarker)

What’s next

Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart will continue to lead the Detroit Pistons as they aim to secure a top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The takeaway

Cade Cunningham's willingness to pay his teammate Isaiah Stewart's hefty fine showcases the strong bond and brotherhood within the Detroit Pistons organization, which has been a key factor in their resurgence this season. This gesture highlights Cunningham's leadership and commitment to supporting his teammates, even when it comes at a significant personal cost.