Pistons Halt Hornets’ Streak in Chaotic Clash Marked by Ejections and Grit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Monday night’s matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets was supposed to be a measuring stick for two playoff-caliber teams. Instead, it turned into a throwback-style brawl that overshadowed what was otherwise a tightly contested game. When the dust settled-both literally and figuratively-the Pistons walked out of Spectrum Center with a 110-104 win, snapping Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak and improving to 39-13 on the season.
But the win didn’t come without fireworks.
Midway through the third quarter, tensions boiled over after a hard foul led to a heated exchange between Pistons All-Star big man Jalen Duren and Hornets forward Moussa Diabate. What started as jawing quickly escalated into a full-on scuffle. The two exchanged headbutts before Duren delivered a shove to Diabate’s face, triggering a benches-clearing melee that brought echoes of the NBA’s more physical eras.
Diabate wasn’t done-he charged at Duren and threw a punch as Duren backed away. That’s when Miles Bridges entered the fray, defending his Hornets teammate and adding fuel to the fire. Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart, never one to back down, came sprinting in from the bench and swung at Bridges, escalating the chaos even further.
Tobias Harris tried to play peacemaker, holding Diabate back, but it wasn’t enough to stop the situation from spiraling. Duren squared up, fists clenched, before being tackled into the crowd. Meanwhile, Bridges broke free from team staffers and made another run at Duren, only to be intercepted by Stewart.
In total, four players-Duren, Diabate, Bridges, and Stewart-were ejected. Charlotte head coach Charles Lee also got tossed after arguing a call during the emotionally charged contest.
The NBA is expected to review the incident thoroughly, and further discipline could be on the way. Suspensions and fines are almost certain, especially for players who left the bench or threw punches.
Still, amid the chaos, the Pistons found a way to regroup and close out the game. With both Duren and Stewart sidelined for the final 18 minutes, it was Paul Reed who stepped up in a big way off the bench. Reed brought the kind of energy that doesn’t always show up in the box score but makes all the difference in a gritty road win.
“I understand that this was a pretty important game against a team that we might see in the playoffs,” Reed said postgame. “Being on the bench all game, I just wanted to make sure my guys know they can trust me out there.”
Reed made his presence felt with timely rebounds, rim protection, and hustle plays-exactly what the Pistons needed in the absence of their frontcourt anchors.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” Reed added. “I got a versatile game. I can do a lot of things on the court, so I just try to display that every time I come on.”
But perhaps the most telling quote came when Reed spoke about the team’s chemistry and brotherhood.
“It’s through the roof,” he said. “Everybody on the team would help JD [Jalen Duren] out there-even the guys on the bench.
We got each other’s back 100,000%. We all can’t just crash out.
Some of us got to stay poised, stay in the moment, and understand what’s at stake.”
That poise showed up down the stretch. Cade Cunningham, playing like the All-Star he is, iced the game with two clutch free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining, capping off a 33-point night that also included nine rebounds and seven assists. LaMelo Ball had a chance to make it interesting with a last-second three, but it clanged off the back iron.
In a game that had everything-intensity, drama, ejections, and playoff-level energy-the Pistons found a way to stay focused when it mattered most. And in a season where Detroit continues to prove it belongs among the NBA’s elite, this win might be one of the most defining yet.
Next stop: Toronto. And if Monday night was any indication, the Pistons are bringing both their fire and their fight.