NBA Suspends Isaiah Stewart and Three Others for Seven Games

The NBA has announced the suspension of Isaiah Stewart and three other players in connection to a recent altercation during a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets. Stewart, a big man for the Pistons, has received the heaviest penalty of seven games, largely due to his previous history of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Details of the Suspensions

Alongside Stewart, Hornets forward Miles Bridges and center Moussa Diabate have been handed four-game suspensions each. Additionally, Pistons center Jalen Duren will serve a two-game ban. The suspensions stem from an incident that occurred with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter of Monday’s game in Charlotte.

Circumstances of the Incident

The altercation began when Duren received an inbound pass and was fouled hard by Diabate. This led to a confrontation where both players clashed, igniting a brawl that extended for over 30 seconds.

• Duren pushed Diabate in the face.
• Bridges intervened by shoving Duren.
• Diabate attempted to punch Duren but missed.

As tensions escalated, Stewart entered the court to confront Bridges, leading to a chaotic struggle that saw both players throwing punches before coaches managed to separate them.

Previous Incidents Affecting Stewart

Isaiah Stewart’s prior incidents have contributed to his current suspension. His history includes:

• Two games for confrontation with LeBron James in November 2021.
• Three games for a punch thrown at Drew Eubanks in February 2024.
• Two games related to a fight against the Timberwolves last March.
• One automatic game suspension for accumulating six flagrant foul points last January.

Impact on Teams

Stewart’s suspension means he will miss upcoming games against the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks, eligible to return on March 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Duren, on the other hand, starts his suspension immediately but will still participate in the All-Star game. Paul Reed is expected to fill the void in the Pistons’ frontcourt.

Bridges and Diabate will miss their Wednesday game against the Atlanta Hawks, along with further post-All-Star matchups against Houston, Cleveland, and Washington.

Financial Consequences

The suspension will result in a financial penalty for each player, calculated as 1/145th of their 2025/26 salaries per game suspended. The resulting amounts are:

The incidents highlight the increasing scrutiny around player conduct within the NBA, as the league continues to enforce disciplinary actions to maintain sportsmanship on the court.