Stewart suspended 7 video games, 3 different gamers penalized for Pistons-Hornets combat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his group Wednesday after the NBA handed out 4 suspensions from a combat within the Pistons’ recreation towards the Charlotte Hornets.

“The narrative that’s out there that we react to everything, every time, is a disappointing one, to be honest with you,” Bickerstaff stated earlier than the Pistons’ recreation in Toronto.

Detroit middle Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven video games by the league, whereas three different gamers have been additionally penalized for his or her roles in Monday’s combat.

Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté have been every suspended 4 video games for preventing and escalating the altercation, whereas Pistons middle Jalen Duren bought two video games for initiating the altercation and preventing, the league introduced.

But the heaviest penalty went to Stewart, with the league saying it was primarily based partly on his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.” The league stated he left the bench space, aggressively entered an on-court altercation, and fought.

Stewart has been suspended 5 occasions, together with as soon as for an altercation with LeBron James in 2021. He was suspended twice final season, together with final April in an altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves that spilled over into the stands.

“You’re hearing all this stuff about what our guys are and it’s completely inaccurate,” Bickerstaff stated. “If they reacted to everything that happened to them, we would never have a basketball game. To highlight the rare moments and make that the story is disrespectful to our guys as basketball players.”

As for whether or not he thought the punishment was honest, Bickerstaff stated, “I would have liked to see Stew’s number being less, obviously. But as a group, we kind of accepted it, what it is.”

The suspensions started Wednesday evening for all 4 gamers.

Hornets coach Charles Lee, who was ejected from the sport within the fourth quarter for arguing a name, stated he understands the choice handed down by James Jones, the NBA’s government vice chairman/head of basketball operations.

“We made a choice in that moment and our actions put us in a situation where we have to take the medicine as the league hands out — and do better next time,” Lee stated.

Diabate, Bridges, Duren and Stewart have been all ejected from the Pistons’ 110-104 win following a melee within the third quarter.

Duren was driving towards the basket when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren circled to get face-to-face with Diabate and the 2 appeared to butt heads. Duren then shoved Diabate within the face together with his open hand and issues escalated from there.

While Pistons ahead Tobias Harris was holding Diabate again, Diabate threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges bought concerned by charging at him, throwing a left-handed punch. Duren retaliated with a punch. Diabate tried to cost once more at Duren and needed to be held again.

Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the gamers tussled. At one level, Stewart rushed to throw a punch at Bridges and missed, however Stewart appeared to get Bridges in a headlock and delivered a number of left-handed blows towards his head.

Duren spoke after the sport, calling it an “overly competitive game,” including that “emotions were flaring. At the end of the day, we would love to keep it basketball, but things happen. Everybody was just playing hard.”

Following follow on Tuesday, Diabate apologized to the Hornets group and to the followers for his function within the altercation and vowed to not let it occur once more.

“When he put his hand in my face, that’s when I think I lost control of it,” Diabate stated.

The Pistons are in first place within the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is preventing for a playoff spot and had gained 9 straight video games — one shy of tying a franchise file — earlier than the loss.

___ AP NBA: