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Moussa Diabate #14 and Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets fight Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half of a basketball game at Spectrum Center on February 09, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The NBA could hand down some of its stiffest in-season discipline of the year following Monday night’s on-court fight between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets, according to ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks.
Appearing Tuesday on NBA Today, Marks said the league is likely to issue multi-game suspensions to all four players ejected, with Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart facing the most severe punishment.
“I think when you talk about what has happened in the past, I think Isaiah Stewart [could get] 10 games,” Marks said. “I think it’s going to be one of the bigger on-court discipline cases.”
Marks added that Hornets forward Miles Bridges could also receive more than a two-game suspension, while Detroit center Jalen Duren and Charlotte forward Moussa Diabate are likely to miss multiple games.
“You usually see one punch gets you a game,” Marks said. “But as you can see, it escalated into the crowd. There are a lot of different layers that the league’s going to look at.”
NBA Discipline Outlook: Why This Case Is Different
Marks’ assessment reflects how the NBA has historically handled incidents involving multiple players, punches thrown by more than one participant, and bench involvement — all of which occurred during Monday’s altercation.
The fight lasted more than 30 seconds, moved from the lane area toward the benches, and prompted a brief police presence on the floor as officials and team staff worked to restore order.
Those elements, combined with prior disciplinary records, are expected to elevate the severity of league punishment.
Isaiah Stewart’s Disciplinary History a Key Factor
Stewart’s past conduct is expected to be a major consideration in the NBA’s review.
The Pistons’ big man was suspended three games in February 2024 for punching Suns center Drew Eubanks in a pregame altercation. He also received a two-game suspension in April during a Pistons-Timberwolves melee, with the league citing repeated unsportsmanlike behavior.
Earlier last season, Stewart was fined $50,000 and suspended one game after an ejection tied to excessive flagrant foul points and objectionable gestures.
Before those suspensions, he was also ejected for elbowing Pat Beverley in December 2023 and for his infamous run-in with LeBron James in November 2021.
That history aligns with Marks’ projection that Stewart could face one of the longest suspensions handed down this season.
Bridges’ Record Also Under Review
Bridges’ involvement is also expected to be scrutinized.
The NBA suspended Bridges for 30 games in 2023, with 20 credited as time already missed, following a domestic violence case that was later dismissed. He also served a 10-game suspension to open the 2023–24 season and was fined $50,000 in 2022 for throwing his mouthpiece.
Marks noted that Bridges escalated the confrontation, a factor that could push his discipline beyond a typical one- or two-game suspension.
How the Fight Unfolded
The incident began with just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter when Duren drove to the basket and was fouled by Diabate. After the whistle, Duren turned toward Diabate, and the two appeared to make head-to-head contact.
Duren then pushed Diabate in the face with an open hand. As teammates attempted to intervene, Diabate threw a punch. Bridges charged in and threw a left-handed punch, prompting Duren to retaliate.
Stewart then left the Pistons’ bench area and confronted Bridges. The two tussled, and Stewart briefly placed Bridges in a headlock while throwing multiple punches before officials separated the players.
All four were ejected.
Player and Coach Responses Provide Context
Duren acknowledged emotions played a role.
“Emotions were flaring,” Duren said. “At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen.”
Diabate told the Charlotte Observer he lost control after Duren put his hands on his face. Bridges later said he should have handled the situation differently and called it a learning experience.
Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff defended his players, saying Stewart reacted instinctively when teammates were confronted.
What Comes Next
The NBA is expected to announce suspensions in the coming days. Based on Marks’ analysis, the discipline could significantly affect both teams’ rotations — particularly Detroit’s — and send a strong signal about the league’s stance on escalating on-court altercations.