Pistons Snap Charlotte’s Streak in Heated Win Marked by On-Court Brawl
CHARLOTTE - What started as a physical, playoff-style battle between two of the NBA’s hottest teams turned into a full-blown melee Monday night at Spectrum Center. The Detroit Pistons came away with a hard-fought 110-104 win over the surging Charlotte Hornets, but not before tempers flared and fists nearly flew.
The flashpoint came midway through the third quarter when Detroit All-Star big man Jalen Duren and Charlotte forward Moussa Diabate got tangled up after a hard foul. Duren took exception, and the two went forehead-to-forehead before Duren shoved Diabate in the face - a moment that ignited chaos.
Diabate responded by charging Duren and throwing a punch as the Pistons center backpedaled. Miles Bridges, a former Michigan State standout and Diabate’s teammate, quickly entered the fray to defend Diabate. Things escalated from there, with players from both teams trying to pull each other apart - and in some cases, jumping into the fight themselves.
Tobias Harris initially held Diabate back, but the Hornets forward broke free and made another run at Duren, who squared up before being tackled into the crowd. As officials and staff tried to restore order, Bridges broke loose and charged Duren again - only to be met by Isaiah Stewart, who came flying in from the Pistons bench and threw punches in Bridges’ direction.
It wasn’t quite Malice at the Palace levels of mayhem, but it was enough to get the attention of the entire league. When the dust settled, four players - Duren, Diabate, Bridges, and Stewart - were ejected. Charlotte head coach Charles Lee was also tossed after arguing a call during the heated stretch.
The NBA is expected to review the incident thoroughly, and more penalties could be on the way. Players who throw punches or leave the bench during an altercation typically face suspensions and fines, and this one had plenty of both.
Despite losing two key frontcourt pieces in Duren and Stewart with over a quarter and a half to play, Detroit didn’t fold. Instead, they leaned on their depth - and a big-time performance from Cade Cunningham - to close out the win and snap Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak.
Cunningham showed why he’s an All-Star, finishing with 33 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. He sealed the game with a pair of clutch free throws with 10.8 seconds left, giving Detroit a six-point cushion. LaMelo Ball got a decent look at a three in the final seconds, but it clanged off the back iron.
One of the unsung heroes of the night? Paul Reed.
Thrust into extended minutes after the ejections, Reed delivered exactly what the Pistons needed - energy, toughness, and timely plays. He dropped in 12 points off the bench and helped anchor the defense down the stretch.
“I understand that this was a pretty important game against a team that we might see in the playoffs,” Reed said postgame. “At the end of the day, being on the bench all game, I just wanted to make sure that my guys know they can trust me out there on the court while coming in and making plays to help us win.”
Reed’s impact didn’t just show up in the box score - it was in the hustle plays, the rebounding battles, and the defensive stops that don’t always make highlight reels.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” he said. “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 the court.”
As for the altercation, Reed made it clear: this Pistons squad has each other’s backs.
“It’s through the roof,” he said of the team’s chemistry. “I’m pretty sure that everybody on the team would help JD [Duren] out there, even the guys on the bench, and we got each other’s back 100,000%.
We got to go out here and play games and win, so 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 mix of fire and focus could prove valuable for a Pistons team looking to make a deep postseason run. Monday night was a test of toughness - both physical and mental - and Detroit passed it, even if it came with a few bruises and likely some upcoming suspensions.
Next up for the Pistons? A trip to Toronto, where they’ll look to keep their momentum rolling - hopefully with a few more bodies available and a little less drama.