Pistons-Hornets brawl leads to four ejections as Detroit wins 110–104
A third-quarter fight that spilled across the court overshadowed the Detroit Pistons’ 110–104 road win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, Feb. 9, 2026 (ET), snapping Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak and putting multiple players under league review. The incident began with a hard foul in the lane and escalated into a second confrontation near midcourt, ending with four ejections and a lengthy delay.
Detroit led 70–62 when the chaos erupted with 7:09 left in the third quarter, then withstood a late Hornets push to close it out.
How the Pistons-Hornets fight started
The first flashpoint came after Charlotte big man Moussa Diabaté fouled Detroit center Jalen Duren on a play in the paint. Duren reacted physically, and the exchange quickly drew players into a shoving match.
Moments later, tensions reignited near midcourt as Charlotte forward Miles Bridges and Detroit forward Isaiah Stewart got involved, turning the scuffle into a wider scrum that required coaches, staff, and security to separate players. Officials ultimately assessed ejections to Diabaté, Duren, Bridges, and Stewart.
Who was ejected and what happens next
The NBA typically reviews altercations of this magnitude for potential discipline beyond in-game ejections, especially when punches are thrown or if players leave the bench area. No additional penalties were confirmed immediately after the game, but the league review process was expected to follow as video angles and official reports are examined.
One additional heat-check arrived later: Hornets head coach Charles Lee was ejected in the fourth quarter while arguing a call in an already charged atmosphere.
Detroit’s win: Cunningham carries the offense
Even with the game’s rhythm repeatedly disrupted, Detroit got a star-level performance from Cade Cunningham, who finished with 33 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. The Pistons didn’t shoot well from deep (5-for-25 on 3-pointers), but they found enough scoring in the paint and midrange to stay in front, then made key plays late as Charlotte cut the margin.
Duren had 15 points in 20 minutes before his ejection. Paul Reed added 12 points off the bench, with additional scoring support helping Detroit survive a closing stretch where Charlotte had multiple chances to make it a one-possession game.
Charlotte’s numbers: threes, free throws, and a late push
Charlotte’s comeback attempt leaned on perimeter scoring and clean free-throw shooting. The Hornets hit enough from outside to keep pressure on Detroit, and they were perfect at the line (17-for-17). Still, the early deficit and the third-quarter disruption left them chasing.
Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 24 points. LaMelo Ball scored 20, and Kon Knueppel added 20 as the Hornets tried to rally in the final minutes. A pair of missed 3-point looks in the closing possessions helped Detroit hold the lead.
Key player stats from the night
| Player | Team | Stat line |
|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham | Pistons | 33 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST |
| Jalen Duren | Pistons | 15 PTS (ejected, 20 MIN) |
| Paul Reed | Pistons | 12 PTS |
| Brandon Miller | Hornets | 24 PTS |
| LaMelo Ball | Hornets | 20 PTS |
Where to watch Hornets vs Pistons next
Detroit and Charlotte are scheduled to meet again in Charlotte on Thursday, April 10, 2026 (ET). For viewers searching “where to watch,” availability typically depends on location:
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In-market viewers usually see the game on the team’s local broadcast partner.
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Out-of-market viewers can often watch via the league’s out-of-market package.
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Live TV streaming bundles may carry the local channel in some regions, but blackout rules can apply.
For the most reliable option, check the official NBA game listing on game day for the assigned TV channel and streaming availability in your area.
Sources consulted: NBA, Reuters, Associated Press, ESPN
