A recreation between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic shouldn’t have a lot intrigue past the event of some gifted younger gamers on each side and the implications for the Victor Wembanyama derby within the NBA draft lottery. Because the Pistons coasted to a 121-101 victory over Orlando, the sport out of the blue took centerstage on a wild night time all through the NBA due to a struggle simply earlier than halftime.
Killian Hayes and Moe Wagner chased a unfastened ball on the finish of the second quarter with Detroit already up huge. Wagner shoved Hayes close to the sideline and he went flying into the Pistons bench. Detroit guard Hamidou Diallo then shoved Wagner from behind, and Hayes get to his ft and gave a forearm strike to the again of Wagner’s head.
Wagner, Hayes, and Diallo have been all ejected. Suspensions are prone to come down on Thursday or Friday, and it might embody a number of Orlando gamers who left the crew’s bench. Watch the scene right here:
Fortunately nobody was injured within the struggle.
In accordance with ESPN, Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr, Gary Harris, Mo Bamba, R.J. Hampton, Terrence Ross and Admiral Schofield have been on the bench because it emptied in the course of the struggle. Would the NBA actually droop virtually the Magic’s whole crew?
The scene triggered some flashbacks to the notorious “Malice within the Palace” however luckily by no means escalated to that stage. The announcer within the area pled with followers to remain of their seats because the struggle was occurring.
The Pistons nonetheless personal the worst file within the NBA after the win at 9-28 total. The Magic have the fifth worst file within the league at 13-23. There are a whole lot of promising younger gamers on each side, and this could possibly be the start of a rivalry within the Japanese Convention.
For now, the NBA is simply grateful this struggle didn’t get any worse.
