The NBA has suspended 11 players after a scuffle ensued Wednesday night during a matchup between the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons.
Magic forward Moritz Wagner and Pistons guard Killian Hayes were the subject of an on-court altercation late in the second quarter. During a loose ball situation, Wagner shoved Hayes into the front row before running into the Pistons bench. Several Detroit players took exception to the push and confronted Wagner before Hayes snuck up behind him and punched him in the back of the head.
The strike caused Wagner to collapse, causing the Magic bench to eject out of their seats and race toward the opposite bench. Coaches from both teams held players back from one another as they tried to defend their teammates. Once the incident cleared both Wagner and Hayes were issued Flagrant 2 fouls and were ejected from the game. The Pistons would go on to win the contest 121-101.
Wagner will serve a two-game suspension for sparking the event while Hayes will miss Detroit’s next three games for his retaliatory punch.
Magic players Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, Kevon Harris, Admiral Schofield, Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba, and Wendell Carter Jr. will all be suspended for one game for leaving the bench area. The suspensions will be staggered to allow the Magic to continue to play games with the minimum required players. Anthony, Carter Jr., Hampton, Bamba, and Gary Harris will miss Orlando’s game against the Washington Wizards. Schofield, Kevon Harris, and Franz Wagner will miss their meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Detroit’s Hamidou Diallo will also serve a one-game suspension and won’t be available when the Pistons play the Chicago Bulls.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.