Isaiah Stewart Faces Extended Suspension Following Hornets Brawl

DETROIT (Azat TV) – Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart is facing what could be one of the National Basketball Association’s most severe on-court suspensions this season, following his central role in a multi-player fight against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. The incident, which overshadowed Detroit’s 110–104 victory, has reignited discussions about Stewart’s extensive disciplinary record and the league’s enforcement of escalating on-court altercations, with projections for his absence ranging from multiple games to potentially 25.

The NBA is expected to announce its disciplinary actions later this week, with Stewart’s history of suspensions and ejections anticipated to be a significant factor in the league’s decision-making process.

Pistons-Hornets Altercation Escalates on Court

The brawl erupted with just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter of Monday’s contest. The initial flashpoint occurred when Pistons center Jalen Duren was fouled by Hornets forward Moussa Diabate near the basket. Following the whistle, Duren and Diabate exchanged words and appeared to make head-to-head contact. A social media lip reader, ‘LegendZ productions,’ later suggested Duren verbally provoked Diabate, calling him a derogatory term and pushing him away, which escalated the situation.

The confrontation quickly intensified when Diabate, reportedly furious, attempted to punch Duren. As officials and teammates intervened, Hornets forward Miles Bridges charged in, throwing a left-handed punch at Duren, who responded in kind. It was at this point that Isaiah Stewart left the Pistons’ bench area, entering the melee to confront Bridges. Stewart became entangled with Bridges, briefly placing him in a headlock while delivering multiple left-handed blows before he was separated by officials and teammates, including Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson of the Pistons.

Stewart, Bridges, Duren, and Diabate were all ejected from the game. The incident was significant enough to prompt a brief police presence on the floor, marking it as the biggest fight of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Stewart’s Disciplinary Record Under Scrutiny

NBA insiders and former players are projecting a lengthy suspension for Stewart, largely due to his extensive history of on-court altercations. ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, speaking on NBA Today, projected Stewart could receive a 10-game suspension, noting that ‘it’s going to be one of the bigger on-court discipline cases.’ Marks highlighted that typically ‘one punch gets you a game,’ but the escalation and Stewart leaving the bench would factor into a more severe punishment.

Former NBA All-Star Demarcus Cousins, on the Run It Back show, offered an even more stringent projection, suggesting Stewart could miss ’20 to 25 games.’ Cousins’ assessment underscores the gravity of Stewart’s repeated involvement in confrontational incidents.

Stewart has a well-documented disciplinary record. In February 2024, he was suspended for three games after punching Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks in a pregame altercation. Last April, he received a two-game suspension during a Pistons-Timberwolves melee, with the NBA explicitly citing his history of unsportsmanlike conduct. Earlier that same season, Stewart was fined $50,000 and suspended one game for excessive flagrant foul points and ‘inappropriate and objectionable gestures.’ His past also includes an ejection for elbowing Patrick Beverley in December 2023 and a widely publicized confrontation with LeBron James in November 2021. According to Yahoo Sports, Stewart has been involved in at least six on-court confrontations leading to ejection or suspension since late 2023.

Reactions and Impact on the Pistons

Despite the looming discipline, Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff defended Stewart’s actions after the game. Bickerstaff framed the altercation as a protective instinct, stating, ‘JD and Stew consider themselves to be brothers, and if you run two guys at one guy, you’ve already crossed the line. Human instinct tells him to protect his little brother.’

Jalen Duren, reflecting on the incident, attributed it to the competitive nature of the sport, noting, ‘This is an overly competitive game, emotions flaring. Everybody’s playing hard.’ Stewart himself was reportedly heard saying, ‘What the f*** was I drafted in Detroit for?’ as he walked back to the locker room, implying a sense of duty to his team.

The potential absence of Stewart, who is averaging ten points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 48 games this season, could significantly impact the Pistons’ frontcourt rotation and defensive identity. Detroit currently sits as the first seed in the Eastern Conference with a 39-13 record, and a lengthy suspension for one of their key enforcers could pose a challenge as they navigate the remainder of the season.

The varying projections for Stewart’s suspension highlight the NBA’s difficult balance between maintaining on-court discipline and addressing player protection. This incident, combined with Stewart’s extensive history, places increased pressure on the league to issue a penalty that not only reflects the severity of the latest event but also potentially serves as a turning point in how repeat offenders are managed.