Three players were ejected in Wednesday’s Orlando Magic-Detroit Pistons game following a benches-clearing fight.
The Detroit Pistons hosted the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, looking to bring an end to their six-game losing streak. While Detroit did win 121-101, there was a pull-apart that took place just before halftime.
With less than a minute remaining in the second quarter, Magic center Moritz Wagner chased after an errant pass from his teammate. Running alongside Wagner was Pistons second-year guard Killian Hayes, who appeared to get close to gaining possession of the basketball. Wagner threw his hip into Hayes, causing him to fall into the Pistons bench area.
The Pistons bench took exception to the shove by Wagner, with guard Hamidou Diallo shoving Wagner in the back. Following that, Hayes appeared to punch Wagner in the back of the head.
Three players ejected in Pistons, Magic game after fight
Wagner, Hayes, and Habidou were all ejected from the game. Moritz received a flagrant-2 foul, while Hayes and Habidou were thrown out for their actions.
There were numerous Magic players who were not in the game that left their bench to head towards the Pistons’ area on the sidelines. Those players include Mo Bamba, Cole Anthony, Terrence Ross, Admiral Schofield, Wendell Carter, Franz Wagner, Kevon Harris, and R.J. Hampton.
As for the game, Detroit had two big performances off the bench from Alec Burks and Saddiq Bey. Burks scored 32 point while shooting 10-for-11 from the field and 6-for-7 from the three-point line. Bey recorded 28 points (8-for-16 from field, 6-for-11 from three-point line), eight rebounds, and four assists.
Now, both the Pistons and Magic will await word from the league to see what kind of discipline the players are facing as a result of this benches clearing incident.