NBA Court Erupts in Chaos as Duren Slaps Diabate, Triggering Multi-Player Brawl
A tense NBA game between the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons and the host Charlotte Hornets descended into chaos on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 (PH time), when a physical foul escalated into a full-blown brawl involving multiple players. The incident, which occurred during the Pistons' 110-104 victory, has sparked widespread discussion among basketball fans and analysts.
Third-Quarter Altercation Ignites Court-Wide Melee
The trouble began with 7:09 remaining in the third quarter at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hornets forward Moussa Diabate committed a foul against Pistons center Jalen Duren, leading to a heated confrontation between the two players. In a moment of intense aggression, Duren and Diabate pressed their foreheads together before Duren delivered a sharp slap to Diabate's face.
This action immediately ignited a severe scuffle on the court, with tensions boiling over as players and staff rushed to intervene. It took several moments for the situation to be calmed down initially, but the conflict was far from over.
Retaliation and Escalation Lead to Ejections
After being slapped, Diabate retaliated by shoving Duren, who attempted to back away but was pursued by the angry Hornets player. Numerous personnel from both teams entered the court to separate the duo, but the chaos only spread. As Duren and Diabate were being restrained, another altercation broke out at midcourt involving Hornets forward Miles Bridges and Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart.
The involvement of these four players in the messy incident resulted in all of them being ejected from the game, leaving both teams shorthanded for the remainder of the contest. The ejections underscored the severity of the brawl and its impact on the game's dynamics.
Coaching Tensions Add to Fourth-Quarter Drama
As play resumed, tensions continued to simmer, culminating in the ejection of Hornets head coach Charles Lee during the fourth quarter. Lee was thrown out of the game after vehemently protesting a foul called against the Hornets, with other members of the coaching staff having to restrain him from further escalation.
Despite the ejection, Lee praised his team's effort post-game, noting that they provided a competitive challenge against one of the league's top performers this season. His comments highlighted the resilience of the Hornets amid the disruptive events.
Game Highlights and Team Performances
On the court, the Pistons extended their impressive run, improving to a 39-13 record behind a standout performance from Cade Cunningham, who scored 33 points. Duncan Robinson contributed 18 points, while Jalen Duren added 15 points before his ejection. The Hornets, who fell to a 25-29 record, were led by Brandon Miller with 24 points, supported by 20-point efforts from both Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball.
This game will be remembered not only for its competitive scoreline but also for the dramatic brawl that has raised questions about player conduct and league discipline in the NBA.
