NBA suspends 11 players involved in Magic-Pistons brawl – The Mercury News

It didn’t take long for the NBA to discipline the players for their role in the altercation that took place at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night.

Detroit Pistons goaltender Killian Hayes received the most severe penalty, earning a three-game suspension. Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner was given a two-game ban and Pistons goalie Hamidou Diallo was given a one-game ban. All players will also lose their game checks while serving suspensions.

The suspensions were announced by former Pistons guard Joe Dumars, who is currently the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations.

Eight Orlando Magic players — guards Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton, Gary Harris and Kevon Harris, forwards Admiral Schofield and Franz Wagner, and centers Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter, Jr. — received one-game suspensions without pay for leaving their bench during the altercation.

The altercation – which took place in the second quarter of the Pistons’ 121-101 victory – happened after Moritz Wagner made a dirty play, throwing Hayes onto his team’s bench while chasing a loose ball. Hayes retaliated with a punch to the back of Moritz Wagner’s head, which appeared to knock out the Magic center. Diallo also shoved Moritz Wagner just before Hayes landed his whiplash.

Then the Magic players ran from their bench to the other side of the field, causing a long delay. After review, officials rated Moritz Wagner a flagrant foul of 2 – triggering an immediate ejection. Diallo and Hayes also received technical fouls and were ejected from the match.

Moritz Wagner’s two-game suspension begins Dec. 30 when the Magic play the Washington Wizards at home. The numerous one-game suspensions will be staggered to ensure the Magic have eight healthy players available to play, which is a league rule.

Anthony, Bamba, Carter Jr., Hampton and Gary Harris will serve their suspensions alongside Moritz Wagner on Friday. Kevon Harris, Schofield and Franz Wagner will be suspended for the Magic’s next game on Jan. 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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