Typically, when altercations happen between two teams during an NBA game, coaches from both sides act as mediators or peacemakers, trying to diffuse the situation.
That wasn’t necessarily the case Sunday night at Target Center in Minneapolis when the Detroit Pistons faced the Minnesota Timberwolves.
An altercation between Pistons and Timberwolves players broke out early in the second quarter, leading to the ejection of five players, including Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Timberwolves assistant Pablo Prigioni.
“Obviously, things went too far. I think the initial part of it — you go back and watch the film and see where it started — and then, obviously, things escalated from there,” Bickerstaff said after the game. “That instance is one of those things where, when you play the way that we play, you earn a reputation. You’re going to be tested, and guys think that’s what they have to do.
“But you regret, obviously, where all of it took place. That’s not something you ever want to see happen. But again, I thought our guys stood their ground and defended each other and had each other’s back. And those are non-negotiables in our locker room—stand your ground, defend one another, and have each other’s backs. And I thought our guys did that tonight.”
### How it started
At the 8:38 mark of the second quarter, an altercation erupted between Pistons rookie Ron Holland II and Timberwolves players Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid after Holland fouled the Timberwolves center. The situation escalated as Holland and DiVincenzo got physical, and Pistons reserves Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser soon became involved.
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The tension spilled over as Bickerstaff and Prigioni exchanged words on the sideline, which resulted in both being ejected along with Holland, Sasser, Stewart, Reid and DiVincenzo.
“There were things said by their assistant coach, and I’m in the same boat as my guys are in,” Bickerstaff said about his involvement. “We’re going to defend each other, and I’m not going to let people say belligerent things about my guys. And it’s that simple. So he said what he said. He knows what he said. And again, I didn’t think it crossed a line to the escalation of anything.
“But in that moment, I understand the ref’s position. But you just can’t say anything to people or about people and expect it to be okay.”
### Chippy start led to escalation
Even before the altercation, the game had already taken a chippy tone not long after the opening tip-off, something Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch noticed.
“I mean, two guys went at it, and it spilled over into the crowd, which was super dangerous. Then, obviously, it just kept escalating and escalating, mostly from (the Pistons’) side, to be honest with you,” Finch said. “I thought, leading up to that, the game was way too physical. I thought it was a little lopsided in its physicality, and I thought that it was bound to happen. It just felt like it was coming, and you spend enough time in basketball games to kind of feel this coming.
“It’s unfortunate, but yeah, we knew they were a super physical team. They hit you, they hold you—all the stuff that you want your physical teams to do—but I just thought it had gotten to a point where players were going to take matters into their own hands, and you don’t ever want that. And just, there were a lot of antics alongside of it too. But both teams settled down and tried to play basketball after that.”
Despite the fight, the Pistons squandered a 16-point lead and lost 123-104 to the Timberwolves.
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### Possible ramifications for the Pistons
There’s no word yet on whether the NBA plans to issue disciplinary action stemming from Sunday’s altercation at Target Center.
Both the Pistons and Timberwolves play again Tuesday. Detroit continues its four-game road trip, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pistons are already undermanned, with Cade Cunningham missing the past four games due to left calf soreness. He’s listed as day to day. Additionally, Tobias Harris has missed the last two games with right Achilles tendinopathy.
Although players from both teams were physical, no apparent punches were thrown, making it unclear whether the league will hand down suspensions. If suspensions occur, the Pistons could be without as many as four or five players due to a combination of injuries and potential disciplinary actions involving Holland, Sasser and Stewart.
If that happens, expect the Pistons to call up players from their NBA G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.
### Potential call-ups from the G League
Rookie guard Daniss Jenkins, who has already played six games for the Pistons this season, is one player who could remain with the team for now. Jenkins, on a two-way deal, scored five points during Sunday’s loss to the Timberwolves.
Another prime candidate is rookie Tolu Smith, who is also on a two-way deal. In 28 games with the Cruise this season, the 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 17.9 points on 65.6% shooting from the field, along with 13.6 rebounds and one block per game.