Pistons' Isaiah Stewart Faces Seven-Game Suspension After Hornets Clash
Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart finds himself in the spotlight once again, but not for the reasons fans might hope. Following a heated altercation with the Charlotte Hornets on February 9, Stewart has been handed a seven-game suspension by the NBA, the most severe penalty among those involved.
This suspension kicked off on February 11, just before the All-Star Weekend, leaving Stewart with five games still to serve. He'll miss the upcoming Pistons' matchup against the Chicago Bulls on February 21, a game that fans were eagerly anticipating.
The Incident Breakdown
The third-quarter skirmish at the Spectrum Center saw four players ejected. Alongside Stewart, Pistons' Jalen Duren and Hornets' Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were also suspended.
Duren, who has history with Diabate dating back to their high school days in Florida, received a two-game suspension. He’s set to make his return tonight after serving his time, which included missing the Pistons' recent win over the New York Knicks.
Diabate and Bridges each received four-game suspensions, with Bridges' attempts to strike both Duren and Stewart escalating the situation further.
Stewart's Suspension History
This isn't Stewart's first brush with league discipline. Since being drafted 16th overall by the Pistons in 2020, he's faced several suspensions:
- February 2026: Hornets - 7 games Stewart left the bench to join the fray after Bridges threatened Duren.
Although he didn’t throw a punch, the NBA’s strict rules on leaving the bench resulted in a hefty suspension. He’s eligible to return on March 3 against the Cavaliers.
- March 2025: Timberwolves - 2 games Involved in an on-court brawl alongside Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser, Stewart was handed a two-game suspension.
- January 2025: Pacers - 1 game A flagrant-2 foul against Thomas Bryant led to a one-game suspension. Stewart's actions after the foul, including gestures toward the crowd, didn't help his case.
- February 2024: Suns - 3 games An off-court altercation with Drew Eubanks resulted in a three-game suspension. Despite an arrest and charges, they were later dismissed.
- November 2021: Lakers - 2 games A tussle with LeBron James left Stewart bloodied and resulted in a two-game suspension after he had to be restrained.
Financial Implications
Stewart's suspension comes with financial consequences. Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, players suspended for fewer than 20 games lose 1/145th of their salary per game. For Stewart, with an annual salary of $15 million, this translates to a loss of $724,137.93 over his seven-game suspension.
Jalen Duren, meanwhile, also faced financial penalties during his two-game suspension, losing $89,422.68 from his rookie contract salary.
Conclusion
As Stewart serves his suspension, the Pistons will have to adjust without their key center. This incident serves as a reminder of the intense emotions and stakes in professional basketball, where players must balance their competitive spirit with the rules and regulations of the game. Fans will be watching closely to see how Stewart and the Pistons bounce back from this turbulent period.