Two days after the incident, the NBA has issued multiple suspensions after the massive Detroit Pistons Minnesota Timberwolves scuffle. Five players and two coaches were initially ejected after the fight broke out in the second quarter of the game on Sunday between the two teams. All five players that were ejected received a suspension from the NBA.
NBA Suspends 5 Players for Pistons Timberwolves Scuffle
The Pistons-Timberwolves scuffle occurred on Sunday at the Target Center in the second quarter of the game. Minnesota won the game in the end. According to Shams Charania, all five players have received suspensions. Here is the complete list:
- Isaiah Stewart, two-game suspension
- Donte DiVincenzo, one game suspension
- Ron Holland, one game suspension
- Naz Reid, one game suspension
- Marcus Sasser, one game suspension
Fun fact: this is the second time Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart has been suspended and fined. He was previously fined for one game without pay in January for accruing his sixth Flagrant Foul.
After the game, Pistons’ coach JB Bickerstaff defended his players, saying,
“Obviously things went too far. But what you see is guys looking out for one another, guys trying to protect one another, guys trying to have each other’s backs. … Those are non-negotiables in our locker room.”
NBA’s Suspension Policy
It seems like the NBA is in line with the fines for the Pistons-Timberwolves scuffle. Earlier in the season, they suspended Amen Thompson and Terry Rozier for their involvement in an on-court altercation. Thompson got a two-game suspension, while Rozier was suspended for one game. That incident occurred in the fourth quarter of the Heat’s win over the Rockets at Toyota Center in December 2024.
Last year, they also suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall for four games, and then-Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic for three games for their involvement in an on-court altercation. Mavericks forward PJ Washington also received a one-game suspension.
Playoff Implications of Fines
As it stands right now, it seems like the fines will impact the Timberwolves more. They have a game against the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic and will have to do it without Reid, who is their second-best interior defender. The Timberwolves are seventh in the West right now, but they have a chance to climb to the sixth seed. But a loss to the Nuggets, which seems likely right now, will set them back with several games left to play. Following the game against the Nuggets, Minnesota has a relatively easy schedule, with two games against the Nets, one against the 76ers, and one against the Jazz.
Right now, the Pistons are fifth in the East, a place they will likely finish by the end of the season. They are two games behind the Pacers for fourth, and 1.5 games ahead of the Bucks for the sixth seed. The Pistons have a tough road game against the Thunder next. But they will decide their seeding with the last two games. They play a home and away-game against the Bucks to finish off the season.
Photo credit: © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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