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Four suspended after Pistons, Hornets brawl

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Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets players Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate were suspended by the NBA on Wednesday for their roles in a brawl during Monday’s matchup between the teams.

Stewart received the longest ban at seven games, with Bridges and Diabate next at four contests each and Duren getting a two-game suspension.

Midway through the third quarter of the Pistons’ 110-104 victory on Monday that snapped Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak, Duren was driving toward the basket when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren went face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads.

Duren then hit Diabate in the face, igniting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds.

While Pistons forward Tobias Harris was holding Diabate back, the latter threw a punch at Duren. Duren walked away and Bridges charged him, throwing a left-handed punch.

Duren retaliated with a punch. Diabate attempted to charge again at Duren and had to be held back. Stewart then left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch, and the players tussled.

The NBA said Stewart was penalised the hardest due to his ”repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”

The Pistons (39-13) lead the Eastern Conference, while the Hornets (25-29) have climbed into the 10th and final Play-In position in the East.