02/11/26 11:24:00
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02/11 11:22 CST Stewart suspended 7 games and 3 other players are penalized for
fighting in Pistons-Hornets game
Stewart suspended 7 games and 3 other players are penalized for fighting in
Pistons-Hornets game
By STEVE REED
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) --- Detroit center Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven
games by the NBA on Wednesday, while three other players were also penalized
for their roles in a fight during a game between the Pistons and Charlotte
Hornets.
Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabat were each suspended four
games for fighting and escalating the altercation, while Pistons center Jalen
Duren got two games for initiating the altercation and fighting, the league
announced.
But the heaviest penalty went to Stewart, with the league saying it was based
in part on his "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts." The league said he
left the bench area, aggressively entered an on-court altercation, and fought
during Monday night's game.
The suspensions will begin immediately, with Stewart and Duren missing
Wednesday night's game against the Toronto Raptors. Bridges and Diabat will be
out Wednesday night as the Hornets host the Atlanta Hawks.
Stewart has been suspended five times, including once for an altercation with
LeBron James in 2021. He was suspended twice last season, including last April
in an altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves that spilled over into the
stands.
Diabate, Bridges, Duren and Stewart were all ejected from the Pistons' 110-104
win following a melee in the third quarter.
Duren was driving toward the basket when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren turned
around to get face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads.
Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open hand and things escalated from
there.
While Pistons forward Tobias Harris was holding Diabate back, Diabate threw a
punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges got involved by charged at him,
throwing a left-handed punch. Duren retaliated with a punch. Diabate attempted
to charge again at Duren and had to be held back.
Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the
players tussled. At one point, Stewart rushed to throw a punch at Bridges and
missed, but Stewart appeared to get Bridges in a headlock and delivered mutiple
left-handed blows toward his head.
Duren spoke after the game, calling it an "overly competitive game," adding
that "emotions were flaring. At the end of the day, we would love to keep it
basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard."
Following practice on Tuesday, Diabate apologized to the Hornets organization
and to the fans for his role in the altercation and vowed not to let it happen
again.
"When he put his hand in my face, that's when I think I lost control of it,"
Diabate said.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his players after the game.
Lee was ejected and had to be restrained by Hornets guard Brandon Miller while
yelling at officials for a no-call after Charlotte's Grant Williams collided
with Detroit's Paul Reed.
The Pistons are in first place in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is fighting
for a playoff spot and had won nine straight games --- one shy of tying a
franchise record --- before losing to the Pistons. -__ AP NBA:
https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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