Four players suspended for the Pistons-Hornets brawl, but Stewart’s repeated infractions earned him seven games and a six-figure fine
Isaiah Stewart’s history of unsportsmanlike conduct finally became too much to ignore. The Detroit Pistons center was suspended seven games Wednesday for his role in Monday night’s brawl against the Charlotte Hornets, the most severe penalty handed down by the NBA for the altercation. But unlike Jalen Duren’s two games, Bridges and Diabate’s four games each, Stewart’s punishment wasn’t just about what happened Monday. The league specifically cited his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts” as the reason for the extra games. This is a player who’s been suspended five times before, including incidents with LeBron James in 2021 and a Timberwolves altercation that spilled into the stands last April. The league was essentially saying: we’re done with this pattern.
The breakdown of suspensions tells the story of escalation
Duren initiated everything with the face-push that started the domino effect. He got two games. Bridges and Diabate both threw punches and actively escalated the chaos. They each got four games. Stewart left the bench to join the fight, got into a headlock confrontation with Bridges, and threw multiple punches. He got seven games. The message is clear: the closer you got to the original incident, and the more violent your involvement, the heavier your punishment.
What makes Stewart’s suspension particularly painful is the financial hit
He’s losing $724,138 in salary alone. Bridges is out $689,655. Duren takes a $89,423 hit. Diabate loses $62,641. These aren’t symbolic fines they’re serious money that players actually feel. For Stewart, it’s especially stinging because he was already on thin ice with his disciplinary record.
The suspensions start immediately, which means real impact on both teams
Stewart and Duren missed Wednesday night’s game against Toronto. Bridges and Diabate sat out Charlotte’s game against Atlanta. For the Hornets, the timing is brutal. They’d won nine straight games heading into the Pistons matchup one shy of a franchise record before losing 110-104. Now they’re without two rotation pieces as they’re fighting for playoff positioning. For the Pistons, losing Stewart is significant, but they’re in first place in the Eastern Conference and can absorb the suspension.
What’s interesting is how differently each player framed their involvement
Duren called it an “overly competitive game” where emotions got out of hand. He admitted that people try to “get in our head,” but the Pistons have mostly handled it. That’s a measured response from the initiator. Diabate apologized to the organization and fans after practice Tuesday, admitting that when Duren “put his hand in my face,” he lost control. That’s accountability from someone who threw a punch. Stewart? He hasn’t really responded, which is telling given his suspension length.
One bright spot for the Pistons: Duren can still play in the All-Star Game despite the suspension. The league made an exception for his Eastern Conference reserve selection announced last week. That means his All-Star status remains intact even though he’ll miss two regular season games.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his players afterward, while Hornets coach Charles Lee got ejected for arguing with officials about a no-call later in the game
Lee had to be restrained by Brandon Miller while yelling at refs, which is a different kind of disciplinary issue but shows how heated everything became.
The real story here is Stewart’s escalating pattern. He’s been suspended five times before. He’s had incidents with LeBron James, tussles with multiple teams, and a fight that spilled into the stands. At some point, the league has to make an example. Seven games says they’ve reached that point. For Stewart, this is a moment to change the pattern or accept that his reputation is going to continue costing him games, money, and playing time.
