Hornets Aim for Playoff Return After Brawl with Pistons

Charlotte looks to overcome recent tensions as they fight for a higher seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:59am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conveying the intensity and tension of their play-in tournament clash.The Hornets and Pistons' recent brawl casts a shadow over their high-stakes play-in matchup, as both teams fight for a higher seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.NYC Today

The Charlotte Hornets have secured a spot in the NBA's play-in tournament, marking their first playoff appearance since 2022. However, their journey has been marred by a recent brawl with the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, leaving both teams and their fans with a sour taste. The Hornets, led by coach Charles Lee and stars Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball, have a chance to turn this negative experience into a positive as they prepare to face the Pistons and the New York Knicks in their final regular season games.

Why it matters

The Hornets' play-in berth is a significant achievement, but the team's recent brawl with the Pistons has raised questions about their ability to handle pressure and maintain composure in high-stakes situations. This will be a crucial test for the Hornets as they look to secure a higher seed in the playoffs and prove their worth against the dominant Pistons.

The details

The Hornets have a 9-10 record in their last 19 games, securing a play-in spot with a 43-37 overall record. This is a marked improvement from their previous season, where they finished 11th in the East with a 33-49 record. However, their recent game against the Pistons on February 9 was marred by a brawl that resulted in the ejection and suspension of four players, including the Hornets' Miles Bridges and the Pistons' Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren.

  • The Hornets' next game is against the New York Knicks on April 12.
  • The Hornets will host the Pistons on April 10.
  • The play-in tournament will take place from April 14-17.
  • The NBA playoffs will start on April 18.

The players

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, who has led the team to a play-in berth in his first season.

Miles Bridges

A star player for the Charlotte Hornets, who was involved in the brawl with the Pistons and subsequently suspended.

LaMelo Ball

The dynamic point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who has been a key contributor to the team's resurgence this season.

Isaiah Stewart

A player for the Detroit Pistons, who was also involved in the brawl with the Hornets and suspended.

Jalen Duren

A player for the Detroit Pistons, who was involved in the brawl with the Hornets and suspended.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must learn from this experience and use it to our advantage as we prepare for the play-in tournament.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

“The Pistons are a formidable opponent, but we're ready to give it our all and prove our worth in the playoffs.”

— Miles Bridges, Forward, Charlotte Hornets

What’s next

The Hornets will need to win their remaining two regular season games against the Knicks and Pistons to secure a higher seed in the play-in tournament. The play-in tournament will take place from April 14-17, with the NBA playoffs starting on April 18.

The takeaway

The Hornets' play-in berth is a significant achievement, but the team must now overcome the recent tensions with the Pistons and use that experience as a learning curve. Their ability to maintain composure and perform under pressure will be crucial as they fight for a higher seed in the playoffs.