The Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets match player stats from February 9, 2026, tell the story of a physical contest that saw Cade Cunningham pour in 33 points while Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 24 in a game overshadowed by a massive third-quarter brawl that resulted in four ejections.
Detroit ended Charlotte’s impressive nine-game winning streak with a 110-104 victory at Spectrum Center, but the game will be remembered as much for the on-court chaos as for the basketball played. The Pistons dominated in the paint with a staggering 60-26 advantage while the Hornets attempted to counter from beyond the arc, launching 47 three-point attempts.
Table of contents
- Top Performers Lead the Way
- Game Flow and Key Moments
- The Brawl That Stopped the Game
- Statistical Breakdown and Team Performance
- The Bigger Picture: Playoff Implications
- Looking Ahead: Suspension Fallout
- Rookie Sensation Continues to Impress
- Trade Deadline Addition Awaits Debut
- The Cunningham Factor
- Charlotte’s Winning Formula Interrupted
- Detroit’s Depth Tested and Proven
- Final Thoughts on a Memorable Contest
Top Performers Lead the Way
Detroit Pistons Player Stats
Cade Cunningham put together a masterful performance, shouldering the offensive load for Detroit:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham | 33 | 9 | 7 | 12-27 | 2-6 | 7-7 | 37 |
| Duncan Robinson | 18 | 3 | 4 | 8-10 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 24 |
| Jalen Duren | 15 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Cunningham’s 33-point explosion marked his 11th 30-point game through 46 appearances this season. The All-Star guard hit all seven of his free throw attempts and came within striking distance of a triple-double, adding nine rebounds and seven assists. His 27 field goal attempts represented his highest shot volume since December 18, when he dropped 30 against Dallas.
Duncan Robinson provided crucial secondary scoring, going an efficient 8-for-10 from the field. Most of his damage came inside the arc, a departure from his typical perimeter-focused approach. Robinson had been on a tear from downtown, hitting multiple threes in five straight games before Monday’s contest.
Jalen Duren contributed 15 points before his night ended prematurely due to ejection following the third-quarter altercation.
Charlotte Hornets Player Stats
Charlotte’s offensive trio kept them competitive despite the loss:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Miller | 24 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| LaMelo Ball | 20 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kon Knueppel | 20 | – | – | – | – | 5-5 | – |
Brandon Miller led the Hornets’ scoring attack with 24 points, continuing his strong stretch of play. The third-year forward has been averaging 24.6 points over his previous nine games on an absurd 70.1 true shooting percentage.
LaMelo Ball matched Kon Knueppel with 20 points apiece. Ball, the engine of Charlotte’s offense, has been playing some of his best basketball this season, averaging 19.2 points and 7.4 assists while showing more defensive effort under head coach Charles Lee.
Knueppel, the sensational rookie, knocked down all five of his free throws and connected on five three-pointers, matching Detroit’s entire team total from beyond the arc. The fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft has been a revelation for Charlotte, shooting 42.4 percent from three-point range while averaging 18.9 points per game.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The Hornets came into Monday riding high on a nine-game winning streak that had them climbing the Eastern Conference standings. Their starting lineup of Ball, Knueppel, Miller, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabate had been nearly unbeatable at 15-1 when playing together.
Detroit opened aggressively, establishing dominance in the paint early. The Pistons scored 14 points in the paint within the first 5:38 of the opening quarter, setting the tone for their interior assault. They finished with a commanding 60-26 edge in paint points, overwhelming Charlotte’s frontcourt.
Charlotte countered by launching from distance, attempting 47 three-pointers and converting 19 (40.4 percent). The Hornets’ perimeter barrage kept them within striking distance throughout the contest.
The game tightened down the stretch. Charlotte cut Detroit’s lead to 102-96 with under three minutes remaining, sending the Spectrum Center crowd into a frenzy. The Hornets had built a 30-21 advantage in bench scoring and held a 49-30 rebounding edge, led by Moussa Diabate.
Tobias Harris delivered the dagger, hitting a jumper that extended the Pistons’ lead to six with 40 seconds remaining. Ball answered with a driving layup to cut it to four with 17 seconds left, but Cunningham sealed the victory by drilling two free throws with 10 seconds on the clock.
The Brawl That Stopped the Game
With 7:05 remaining in the third quarter, tensions that had been simmering throughout the physical contest finally boiled over. Moussa Diabate fouled Jalen Duren on a drive to the basket. The two big men went face-to-face, appearing to bump heads.
Then Duren struck Diabate with an open right hand to the face.
What happened next turned the basketball game into chaos. Diabate, held back by Pistons forward Tobias Harris, threw a punch at Duren. Miles Bridges charged in and landed a left-handed punch on Duren, who retaliated with his own punch.
Isaiah Stewart, watching from the Pistons bench, sprinted onto the court and put Bridges in a headlock. Players from both benches swarmed the area near the paint. Security personnel rushed to separate the combatants as the melee lasted more than 30 seconds.
Four players received ejections: Duren, Diabate, Bridges, and Stewart.
The NBA rulebook mandates automatic ejection for any player leaving the bench area during an altercation, which sealed Stewart’s fate despite not being on the court when the incident began.
Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his players after the game. “Duren and Stew consider themselves to be brothers,” Bickerstaff told reporters. “If you run two guys at one guy and you’ve already crossed the line, human instinct tells him to protect his little brother.”
Cunningham also addressed the incident. “We got a really deep team, a lot of guys that wait on their number to be called and they step up, and they’re ready,” he said. “We tried to defend ourselves.”
Hornets coach Charles Lee was also ejected later in the fourth quarter after being restrained from going after an official while arguing a no-call.
Statistical Breakdown and Team Performance
Detroit’s Dominance in the Paint
The Pistons’ 60-26 advantage in paint points represented the most significant statistical disparity of the night. Detroit attacked the rim relentlessly, capitalizing on size advantages and forcing Charlotte’s defense to collapse.
Charlotte’s Three-Point Volume
| Category | Attempts | Made | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte 3PT | 47 | 19 | 40.4% |
| Detroit 3PT | – | 5 | – |
The Hornets launched 47 shots from beyond the arc, with Kon Knueppel alone matching Detroit’s team total of five made threes. Charlotte’s offense is built around perimeter shooting, ranking third in the league in three-point attempts while converting at a 37 percent clip.
Bench Impact
Charlotte held a 30-21 advantage in bench points, with their reserves providing crucial energy throughout the contest. The Hornets had been averaging 117.3 points per game during their nine-game winning streak with an offensive rating of 121.5.
The Bigger Picture: Playoff Implications
Detroit improved its position atop the Eastern Conference with the victory. The Pistons have emerged as legitimate contenders this season behind Cunningham’s ascension to All-Star status and the veteran additions of Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson.
For more comprehensive player statistics and game analysis across the league, visit Match vs Player Stats.
Charlotte’s loss snapped their best winning streak since the 1998-99 season, when the franchise also won nine consecutive games. Despite the setback, the Hornets remain in playoff contention at 25-29, having dramatically improved from their 4-14 start to the season.
The starting five of Ball, Knueppel, Miller, Bridges, and Diabate had compiled a remarkable 15-1 record before Monday’s contest. Their chemistry and offensive firepower had transformed Charlotte into one of the league’s most dangerous teams when healthy.
Looking Ahead: Suspension Fallout
The NBA launched a formal review of Monday’s brawl. League history suggests players involved in physical altercations face suspensions ranging from one to three games, with additional fines likely.
Isaiah Stewart’s involvement carries particular weight given his disciplinary history. Stewart, known by the nickname “Beef Stew,” has been involved in previous on-court incidents during his NBA career. Leaving the bench area typically results in an automatic suspension, putting Stewart’s availability for upcoming games in serious doubt.
Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate also face potential suspensions that could impact Charlotte’s final game before the All-Star break. The Hornets were scheduled to face Houston on Thursday, and losing two rotation players would significantly hamper their lineup flexibility.
Jalen Duren, receiving his second ejection of the season, likely faces at least a one-game ban. His absence would thrust Paul Reed and Isaiah Stewart (if not suspended) into expanded roles for Detroit.
Rookie Sensation Continues to Impress
Kon Knueppel’s performance reinforced his status as one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year. The Duke product has been selected to participate in the Three-Point Contest during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, recognition of his elite shooting ability.
Knueppel’s five three-pointers against Detroit marked his 15th game this season with at least five made threes. He’s shooting an impressive 42.4 percent from beyond the arc while attempting 7.8 threes per game, remarkable volume for a rookie.
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr recently praised Knueppel, suggesting the rookie represents “the first generation of rookies who have learned basketball watching Steph” Curry. The comparison highlights Knueppel’s shooting range and confidence.
Trade Deadline Addition Awaits Debut
Charlotte’s recent acquisition of Coby White from the Chicago Bulls added another dimension to their backcourt. White, averaging 18.6 points and 4.7 assists this season, sat out Monday’s game with a strained calf that has bothered him throughout the year.
White said before the game that the injury is progressing well. The former North Carolina standout returns to his home state and gives Charlotte another perimeter threat capable of spacing the floor alongside Ball, Miller, and Knueppel.
The Cunningham Factor
Cade Cunningham’s dominant performance underscored his evolution into one of the NBA’s elite guards. The first overall pick from the 2021 draft is averaging 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game this season, career-best marks across the board.
Cunningham flirted with a triple-double against Charlotte, falling one rebound short. His ability to shoulder the offensive burden while facilitating for teammates has transformed Detroit’s offense. The Pistons have rallied around their franchise cornerstone, building a deep roster capable of competing with anyone in the Eastern Conference.
His perfect 7-for-7 performance from the free throw line proved crucial in the closing minutes. Cunningham’s clutch free throws with 10 seconds remaining sealed the victory after Ball’s late layup had cut the deficit to four.
Charlotte’s Winning Formula Interrupted
The Hornets had been one of the NBA’s hottest teams before Monday’s loss. Their nine-game winning streak featured dominant offensive performances, with Charlotte ranking first in offensive rating (121.1) during January while placing sixth in shooting efficiency (1.173).
Head coach Charles Lee has transformed Charlotte’s identity since taking over, implementing a system modeled after the 2024 champion Boston Celtics. The Hornets rank third in the league in three-point attempts and are connecting at 37 percent as a team.
The combination of Ball’s playmaking, Miller’s scoring versatility, Knueppel’s shooting, and Bridges’ two-way play created matchup problems for opponents. When Diabate provided interior presence and rebounding, the starting five became nearly unstoppable.
Charlotte’s 12-3 record over their last 15 games represented their best stretch since the franchise’s glory days. Even with Monday’s loss, the Hornets have positioned themselves as a potential playoff team after their disastrous start.
Detroit’s Depth Tested and Proven
Losing Duren and Stewart to ejections forced Detroit to rely on bench contributors. Paul Reed, who didn’t play in the first half, stepped up with 12 points, three rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals over 18 minutes.
“Paul Reed doesn’t play the whole first half, doesn’t play up until that moment,” Cunningham explained. “JD’s playing well, Stu’s playing, and for him to step in and be another big presence that adds a lot to the game just says a lot about his character and his mindset going into the game.”
The Pistons’ ability to weather the roster disruption and maintain composure demonstrated their championship mettle. Detroit’s depth, featuring veterans like Harris and Robinson alongside young contributors, provides coach Bickerstaff with multiple lineup combinations.
Final Thoughts on a Memorable Contest
The Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets match player stats reveal a game where offensive firepower met defensive intensity, where skill clashed with physicality, and where competitive fire boiled over into confrontation.
Cunningham’s 33 points powered Detroit to victory, ending Charlotte’s nine-game streak. Miller’s 24 points paced the Hornets’ attack, while Ball and Knueppel added 20 apiece. The Pistons dominated inside, outscoring Charlotte 60-26 in the paint. The Hornets countered from distance, launching 47 three-pointers.
But the lasting image from February 9, 2026, will be the brawl that resulted in four ejections and potential suspensions that could impact both teams’ playoff pushes. As the NBA reviews the incident, both franchises await word on disciplinary actions that will shape their rosters heading into the All-Star break.
Detroit moved forward with momentum, proving they can win ugly when necessary. Charlotte faces adversity after their winning streak ended in controversial fashion. The rematch, whenever it occurs, figures to be appointment viewing for basketball fans who appreciate intensity, skill, and the unpredictable nature of NBA competition.
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