Pistons Hornets Chaos: Stewart Duren Bridges Diabate Suspended

Merlin sees the NBA hand down multi-game suspensions after the Pistons-Hornets brawl. Isaiah Stewart drew seven games for "leaving the bench area, aggressively entering an on-court altercation, and fighting," with the league citing his "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts." Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate were suspended four games for "fighting and escalating the altercation," and Jalen Duren got two games for "initiating the altercation and fighting." All four will lose salary and their bans start Wednesday. Merlin senses the league trying to stop repeat chaos. Short suspensions will force lineup shuffles and test each team’s depth, while Stewart’s longer ban is a clear warning to players with prior incidents. Expect coaches to tighten discipline and for rival teams to pounce on the temporary openings.