The physical play between Detroit Pistons All-Star center Jalen Duren and Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate set off a wild confrontation on Monday. After a hard foul from Diabate, the two went face-to-face before Duren swiped at his opponent’s face.
An X site that often features verbal exchanges between players tweeted what Duren allegedly said that made Diabate furious:
“You b**ch.”
Diabate responded to the taunt:
“What? I’m gonna k*ll you, motherf**ker!”
Diabate’s teammate, Miles Bridges, joined the fray and said:
“Ight, watch this! What’s up, ni**a?”
Moussa Diabate was so riled up that the arena security, the Hornets coaching staff and multiple players had trouble holding him back.
After the Hornets scrimmaged on Wednesday to prepare for their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, Diabate talked to reporters. He opened up about the scuffle that will likely come with a suspension:
“I fouled him, we get into each other’s face, and I’m fine with that. … It took a different route when he put his hand in my face. Obviously, it’s unfortunate, but I got pushed out of control by my emotions.”
Miles Bridges added that what Jalen Duren did was “the most disrespectful thing that you can do.”
Bridges, Diabate, Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who left the bench to join the fracas, were tossed out with 7:09 left in the third quarter. The NBA hasn’t announced its punishment, but insiders already predict at least suspensions for everyone involved in the ugly incident.
Jalen Duren evaded punches in scuffle against Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges
After swiping at Moussa Diabate’s face, Jalen Duren started to back away. Miles Bridges’ push against him only put more distance between the Pistons’ star and the furious Diabate.
Despite players and coaching staff trying to hold him back, Diabate still managed to throw two punches at Duren, who evaded both.
Bridges also took a shot at Detroit’s big man, who received a glancing blow on the chest. As Duren was moved out of the way by Pistons players and coaches, Isaiah Stewart took the fight to Bridges.
Jalen Duren was the first to leave the court after the ejections were announced. He held up his jersey with Detroit on the front as he walked to the tunnel to the locker room.
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