The Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons figured in an unlikely marquee matchup on Tuesday in a battle between the hottest team in the league and the best team in the Eastern Conference. In the end, the Pistons came out on top, 110-104, in a game that delivered thrilling action—literally.
Charlotte started off hot, racing to a 33-29 lead before Detroit took control in the middle quarters by outscoring the Hornets, 59-45. But Buzz City, winners of nine straight before their matchup with the Pistons, cut that lead to four in the final minute and had two chances to get to within one, only for Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel to miss their respective three-point attempts.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Duncan Robinson fired 18 on 8-for-10 shooting from the field. Miller topscored for the Hornets with 24 points, while Knueppel and LaMelo Ball each chipped in 20.
Pistons, Hornets Get into It, Charles Lee Ejected
This marquee matchup was particularly notable not only for the brilliant playmaking and playoff atmosphere, but also for the intense, highly physical action. Things ultimately came to a head in the third quarter when Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Jalen Duren got into a shoving incident that spilled over into a full-on altercation that also involved the Hornets’ Miles Bridges and Isaiah Stewart.
The incident occurred at the 7:09 mark of the third, with Duren and Diabate already exchanging words as the Pistons were about to inbound the ball. Duren eventually got it, drove, and was fouled hard by Diabate, leading to the initial confrontation where the Detroit big man shoved Diabate in the face. Then Bridges got involved, prompting Stewart, who was on the bench at that time, to charge at him.
Duren, Diabate, Bridges, and Stewart were all ejected and are likely facing multi-game suspensions. Stewart, in particular, could get a lengthy ban as he is a repeat offender and entered the court during an altercation, which is prohibited by the league.
A quarter later, the Hornets’ head coach had to be restrained from going after the referees after Grant Williams was called for an offensive foul in the midst of Charlotte’s rally. He, too, was ejected.
The Hornets and Pistons get to cool their heads for a day before they return to action on Thursday, with Charlotte facing the Toronto Raptors and Detroit going up against the Atlanta Hawks.
