A violent brawl between Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets basketball players in the third quarter of this morning's game (Tuesday) resulted in the suspension of four players.
Charlotte's Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges, as well as Detroit's Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, were ejected. Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected in the fourth quarter after having to be restrained from walking toward the referee while violently protesting a call.
In the end, the Pistons won 110:104. The loss ended the Hornets' attempt to tie the club's record of 10 consecutive wins.
Duren had the ball and was heading for the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter when Diabate was fouled. Duren turned, faced Diabate and it appeared as if they clashed heads.
Duren then punched Diabaté in the face with his right fist, which started a fight that lasted more than 30 seconds and eventually led to a brief police presence on the field.
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As Pistons center Tobias Harris tried to contain Diabate, Diabate hit Duren. Duren backed away and Bridges ran at him and punched him with his left. Duren fought back. Diabate tried to chase Duren again and had to be stopped.
Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, after which they began to scuffle. At one point, Stewart grabbed Bridges in a chokehold around the head and delivered several punches with his left hand.
Duren described the match as "extremely competitive."
"Emotions were boiling. At the end of the day, we would have liked it to be all about basketball, but things happen. Everyone played hard," Duren said. /Telegraph/
