NBA Suspends Five Players After Fiery Pistons-Timberwolves Altercation

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NBA announced Tuesday that five players have been suspended following a heated altercation during a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 30. Pistons center Isaiah Stewart received a two-game suspension, while teammates Ron Holland II and Marcus Sasser, along with Timberwolves players Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, were each issued one-game bans.

NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars cited Stewart’s “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts” as a key factor in the harsher penalty. Stewart will begin serving his suspension when the Pistons face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, while Holland, Sasser, Reid, and DiVincenzo’s suspensions take effect Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets.

The incident unfolded with 8:36 left in the second quarter of the Timberwolves’ eventual 123-104 victory, with the Pistons leading 39-30. The altercation began when Stewart received a technical foul after aggressively bumping DiVincenzo, leading to escalating tensions between the players.

According to reports, the situation intensified when Holland was called for a foul while attempting to slap the ball from Reid, igniting a confrontation. “Obviously things went too far,” stated Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who was ejected from the game. “What you see is guys looking out for one another, trying to protect one another… Those are non-negotiables in our locker room.”

As the scuffle ensued, all 10 players on the court, along with multiple coaches and trainers, became embroiled in the chaos, with players falling into the crowd near the baseline. Timberwolves assistant coach Pablo Prigioni was also ejected.

The confrontation led to a total of 12 technical fouls being issued during the game, marking the most in an NBA match since March 23, 2005. Minnesota head coach Chris Finch remarked on the physical nature of the game, noting, “It’s unfortunate, but we knew they were a super physical team. You don’t ever want that.”

The Timberwolves will look to maintain their position in the playoff race against the Nuggets on Tuesday, while the Pistons aim to recover against the Thunder. Coach Finch expressed understanding for the players’ instincts during the altercation: “I thought they did what they needed to do to protect themselves and their teammates. We’re not disappointed,” he said.