NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart has been sidelined for two games following an on-court clash that involved multiple players from both the Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves. This was announced by the NBA on Tuesday.
The league gave Stewart the two-game suspension due to his history of unsportsmanlike conduct. He wasn’t alone in facing disciplinary action; teammates Ron Holland II and Marcus Sasser from the Pistons, as well as the Timberwolves’ Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, received one-game bans. All five players were ejected from a heated game earlier in the week.
Detroit’s coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, felt the actions of the players stemmed from a protective instinct. "Things went too far," he noted after the incident. "But the guys were just looking out for one another, which is important in our locker room."
The altercation flared up during the second quarter of the Timberwolves’ 123-104 victory over the Pistons, starting when Holland fouled Reid. This spiraled into a confrontation where players fell into the crowd.
Stewart, Sasser, Holland, Reid, and DiVincenzo will begin serving their suspensions soon, with Stewart’s starting Wednesday during the Pistons’ game against Oklahoma City.
Minnesota’s coach, Chris Finch, shared his views on the physical nature of the game. "The game’s gotten a little bit more physical, which we embrace. But we have to be mindful of maintaining control. We’re disappointed that our players are out, but it’s part of the game."
This incident places a spotlight on the ongoing trend in the NBA concerning physical play. According to a recent survey, 70% of basketball fans believe the league has become more aggressive in recent seasons. As teams vie for playoff spots, emotions can run high, leading to situations like this one.
For those interested in the league, you can find more information on ongoing developments at AP NBA.
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Source linkMarcus Sasser, Detroit Pistons, Sports transactions, Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves, Isaiah Stewart, MN State Wire, MI State Wire, CO State Wire, OK State Wire, NBA, New York City Wire, NY State Wire, Pablo Prigioni, Sports, Donte DiVincenzo, Chris Finch, NBA basketball, J.B. Bickerstaff
