By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:12 GMT, 10 February 2026 | Updated: 02:12 GMT, 10 February 2026
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A fight broke out between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter of Monday night's game, and four players were ejected.
Charlotte´s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were tossed, along with Detroit´s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period 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 right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds.
While Pistons forward Tobias Harris was holding Diabate back, Diabate threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges 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.
The Pistons were leading 70-62 at the time.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, left, throws punches with Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, right, during a fight on the court in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
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Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, second from left, is held back as he goes and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) fight during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons coaches and security try to break up a fight during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, second from left, is held back as he goes after Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren during a fight on the court in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)