Even though the game was not close, fans were kept entertained.
On Wednesday night, three players were ejected after a fight on the sidelines between the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons.
Moritz Wagner of the Magic and Hamidou Diallo and Killian Hayes of the Pistons were ejected late in the first half for their roles in the scuffle.
Wagner and Hayes were chasing a loose ball in the backcourt after an errant pass. Wagner didn’t make a full effort to pick up the ball because he knew he’d be called for a backcourt violation. Hayes attempted to outrun Wagner and was hip-checked by the Magic forward, sending the guard into his team’s bench.
Hayes rose quickly and retaliated with a punch to the back of Wagner’s head — right after Diallo shoved the Magic forward — that appeared to briefly knock out the 25-year-old German.
Wagner was covered up by Pistons assistants after he was hit by both players.
Following a review, officials assessed Wagner a flagrant-2 foul, resulting in an immediate ejection. Diallo and Hayes were also called for technical fouls.
The NBA may punish players who left their bench area during the scuffle in the coming days. Moritz Wagner’s brother, Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, Harlem native Mo Bamba, R.J Hampton, Terrance Ross, and Admiral Schofield were among the players who left the Magic bench area.
The Pistons defeated the Magic 121-101 in an Eastern Conference matchup. Former Knicks guard Alec Burks finished with 32 points and four assists.
The Pistons were involved in an on-court incident that resulted in ejections for the second consecutive season. Last season, Pistons centre Isaiah Stewart was ejected from a game after charging at Lakers forward LeBron James. Stewart charged at James after taking a strike to the face, leaving the Pistons’ centre bloodied.
Days later, the NBA suspended Stewart for two games and James for one.
