The Charlotte Hornets came in to their Monday game against the Detroit Pistons red hot but the heat transferred into the players’ heads in the third quarter where four players exchanged punches. Jalen Duren got into it with Moussa Diabate after getting tangled in the third quarter.
Sparks started flying after that as Miles Bridges stepped in to help Diabate. Isaiah Stewart came in fast from the bench and helped out his teammate by coming after Bridges.
PISTONS AND HORNETS GET INTO IT!!! 😳😳
4 EJECTIONS. 4!!! pic.twitter.com/Gcl67LCh0s
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 10, 2026
All four players were suspended and heavy fines are expected to be handed to them. Hornets coach Charles Lee was also sent out although for separate incident.
Hornets saw their nine-game winning streak ends, 104-110.
This is the first full fight this season wherein punches were thrown.
“The respective players engaged in fighting activity during the dead ball. After review, we assessed fighting fouls and by rule they were ejected,” crew chief John Goble explained.
Jalen Duren on the fight
Duren was asked post-game about the brawl. He said it was all due to the heat of the moment.
“Emotions were flaring,” Duren said. “At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard.”
When asked if he started it, he said “watch the film” and then spoke about the physicality they have to deal with over and over.
Jalen Duren on tonight’s altercation:
“Just an overly competitive game, emotions flaring. At the end of the day we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen.” pic.twitter.com/4eq7jsdtcT
— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) February 10, 2026
“This isn’t the first time that people have tried to be like extra aggressive with us and talk to us, whatever the case may be,” he continued.
“But as a group we have done an OK job of handling that energy and intensity. At the end of the day, emotions got high with everybody being competitive. Things happen.”
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