Key Takeaways:
- Detroit Pistons halted the Hornets’ nine-game winning run with a 110-104 victory on Monday night
- Match featured a prolonged altercation in the third quarter, resulting in the ejection of four players and Charlotte head coach Charles Lee
- Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 33 points and secured 9 rebounds for Detroit
Game Overview and Scoreline
The Detroit Pistons edged past the Charlotte Hornets with a 110-104 win in Charlotte on Monday night, bringing an end to the home team’s impressive nine-game winning streak. Cade Cunningham starred for Detroit with 33 points and 9 rebounds, playing a crucial role as the Pistons survived a frantic encounter overshadowed by multiple ejections.
Handled business. pic.twitter.com/PlaKCkOLA4
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 10, 2026
Tempers Flare: Third Quarter Brawl and Dismissals
The contest’s intensity escalated midway through the third quarter. Detroit’s Jalen Duren, after being fouled by Moussa Diabate on a drive to the basket, engaged in a heated confrontation. The two exchanged words and appeared to butt heads before Duren struck Diabate in the face with an open right hand, prompting a disorder that persisted for over half a minute.
As Pistons forward Tobias Harris intervened to restrain Diabate, the Hornets player attempted to retaliate. Miles Bridges then charged at Duren, throwing a punch, to which Duren responded in kind. Diabate made another attempt to confront Duren with teammates needing to hold him back. Meanwhile, Isaiah Stewart left the Detroit bench to approach Bridges, resulting in another altercation and further blows exchanged. The officials subsequently ejected Diabate, Bridges, Duren, and Stewart for their roles in the melee.
Further Incidents and Coach Ejection
The game’s intensity did not subside in the fourth quarter. Charlotte’s head coach Charles Lee was dismissed after he needed to be restrained by Brandon Miller from confronting an official following a collision involving Charlotte’s Grant Williams and Detroit’s Paul Reed.
Key Player Performances
Detroit benefitted from strong contributions all around. Aside from Cunningham’s remarkable output, Duncan Robinson contributed 18 points, while Jalen Duren added 15 before his ejection. Tobias Harris played a pivotal role late on, sinking a crucial jumper to restore Detroit’s lead to six points with just 40 seconds on the clock.
For the Hornets, Brandon Miller tallied 24 points, with LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel chipping in with 20 each. Despite narrowing the deficit to four points in the closing stages, Charlotte failed to convert key opportunities, with Miller and Knueppel missing three-point attempts in the final minute.
| Team | Top Scorer | Points | Other Leading Scorers | Ejections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | Cade Cunningham | 33 | Duncan Robinson (18), Jalen Duren (15) | Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart |
| Charlotte Hornets | Brandon Miller | 24 | LaMelo Ball (20), Kon Knueppel (20) | Moussa Diabate, Miles Bridges |
Final Moments and Standings
As the game approached its conclusion, LaMelo Ball closed the gap with a layup, making it a four-point game with 17 seconds left. However, Cunningham responded decisively, converting two free throws inside the final ten seconds to secure the Pistons’ victory.
Charlotte were without Coby White for a third consecutive fixture as he continues to recover from a calf strain. White, who joined from Chicago last week, indicated pre-game that the issue has impeded him throughout the season but is improving.
Next Fixtures
- Pistons: Will travel to face Milwaukee on Wednesday
- Hornets: Will be away to Houston on Thursday
