RealGM Basketball Wiretap

12 February 2026

• Isaiah Stewart Suspended Seven Games; Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate Get Four-Game Bans

  Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart will miss seven games after leaving the bench and participating in an on-court fight, the NBA announced Wednesday. His punishment reflects a pattern of previous unsportsmanlike conduct, according to James Jones, Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations.

  Charlotte Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate each received four-game suspensions for their roles in escalating the altercation. Pistons center Jalen Duren drew a two-game ban for starting the incident.

  The confrontation occurred with 7:09 left in the third quarter of Detroit's 110-104 road victory on February 9 at Spectrum Center. Diabate's defensive foul on Duren triggered the sequence that led to the brawl.

  All four players received technical fouls and ejections during the game. League officials reviewed the incident before determining the suspension lengths.

  Stewart's seven-game penalty exceeds those handed to the other participants due to his disciplinary record. The league cited his history of unsportsmanlike behavior as a factor in the extended punishment.

  The suspensions take effect immediately. Stewart and Duren will sit out Thursday when Detroit visits the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Bridges and Diabate begin serving their penalties Thursday as Charlotte hosts the Atlanta Hawks at home.

• Pistons Sign Isaac Jones To Two-Year, Two-Way Contract

  The Detroit Pistons signed Isaac Jones to a two-year, two-way deal, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Jones has appeared in 44 games over the past two seasons with the Kings and Pistons.

  Jones also averaged 15.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in the G League this year.

  Tolu Smith and Wendell Moore Jr. fill the other two two-way spots for the Pistons.

• Diabate, Bridges, Duren, Stewart Tossed As Fight Erupts In Pistons-Hornets Game

  A third-quarter altercation between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets resulted in four player ejections during Detroit's 110-104 victory Monday night at the Spectrum Center.

  Charlotte's Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were dismissed alongside Detroit's Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. The incident occurred with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period.

  The confrontation began when Diabate fouled Duren on a drive to the basket. Duren turned and approached Diabate face-to-face, with the two players butting heads before Duren shoved Diabate in the face with his open right hand.

  While Pistons forward Tobias Harris restrained Diabate, the Charlotte center threw a punch at Duren. As Duren walked away, Bridges charged and threw a left-handed punch, prompting Duren to retaliate. Diabate attempted to charge again before being held back.

  Stewart left the bench to confront Bridges, who responded with a punch as the players tussled. The confrontation lasted more than 30 seconds before officials restored order.

  Detroit held a 70-62 lead when the fight erupted and maintained control to secure the six-point victory.

  Tensions persisted throughout the fourth quarter. Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected midway through the final period after officials issued a no-call when Charlotte forward Grant Williams collided with Detroit's Paul Reed.

  Lee had to be restrained while shouting at officials following the non-call.

  The Pistons improved their record with the road victory despite the chaotic atmosphere that defined the second half.

• Pistons Sign Daniss Jenkins To Two-Year Deal, Waive Dario Saric

  The Detroit Pistons signed two-way guard Daniss Jenkins to a two-year contract, sources told Shams Charania of ESPN.

  The contract includes a team option for the 2026-27 season.

  Jenkins is averaging 8.2 points and 3.3 assists on the year.

  The Pistons will waive Dario Saric to make room for Jenkins.

• How to watch Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets NBA game: Tip-off time, cable channels, RSNs, livestream providers, international coverage

  As the league enters the second week of February 2026, the matchup between the Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center stands as a marquee fixture that encapsulates these transformative themes. This game is not merely a contest between two Eastern Conference opponents; it represents a clash between the conference's current leader and its hottest surging team.

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  The Detroit Pistons have emerged as the most significant success story of the 2025-2026 campaign, currently occupying the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 38-13 record. This performance marks a stunning turnaround for a franchise that spent the early 2020s in the lottery. Under the guidance of President Trajan Langdon and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit has cultivated an identity rooted in defensive physicality and an elite offensive efficiency that ranks among the league's best. The team's dominance was perhaps most visible on February 1, 2026, when they delivered a 130-77 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, a 53-point margin that set a new franchise record for the most lopsided win in organization history.

  The Pistons' surge is driven by the maturation of Cade Cunningham, who has established himself as a legitimate MVP candidate. As of early February, Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game, shooting 46.0% from the floor. His ability to manipulate defenses and find open shooters has been amplified by the team's strategic trade deadline activity. The front office's decision to send Jaden Ivey to Chicago in exchange for Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric was designed specifically to improve the team's spacing and veteran depth. This move has allowed the Pistons to surround their core playmakers with elite shooting, exemplified by Duncan Robinson's 12.0 points per game on 40.1% shooting from beyond the arc.

  While Detroit represents consistent season-long excellence, the Charlotte Hornets are the hottest team in the NBA as of February 9, 2026. Charlotte enters this matchup on a nine-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the league and the best such run for the franchise since the 1998-1999 season. This surge has revitalized a fan base that has long waited for a competitive breakthrough. The Hornets currently sit at 25-28, good for 10th in the Eastern Conference and firmly entrenched in the play-in race. This transformation is credited to the tactical adjustments of head coach Charles Lee and the emergence of rookie Kon Knueppel, who has taken the league by storm.

  Kon Knueppel, the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has become the centerpiece of Charlotte's offensive revitalization. Named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January 2026, Knueppel has engaged in a high-profile Rookie of the Year battle with Dallas's Cooper Flagg. Knueppel's impact is defined by his historic three-point shooting; he is currently on pace to shatter the NBA rookie record for triples, ranking third in the league in total three-pointers made, trailing only veterans Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell. His 24-point performance in a win over the Houston Rockets and his 23-point contribution in the February 7 victory over Atlanta highlight a player who is already operating with veteran-level efficiency.

  How to watch Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets online - national and local U.S. TV channels & live streams

  In the Detroit market, fans continue to rely on the FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (FDSDET), the rebranded successor to the Bally Sports era. This network provides the primary terrestrial and cable coverage for Pistons fans within the designated home market. Similarly, the Charlotte market is served by FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSN SE-CHA). The integration of the FanDuel brand into the RSN landscape reflects the deeper synthesis of sports betting and live broadcasting that has become a hallmark of the 2026 fan experience. Both games can be viewed via RSNs through Fubo. For those outside these local footprints, the primary viewing vehicle is NBA League Pass, which remains the central hub for out-of-market access.

  How to watch Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets internationally

  If you are outside of the USA, the NBA game between Detroit Pistons vs Charlotte Hornets should be available to livestream with an NBA League Pass.

  Please be aware that livestream rights vary by country and depend on local broadcast deals. NBA games that aren't shown live on NBA League Pass are usually later made available on-demand.

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  How to watch anywhere with VPN

  If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

  Probable Starting Lineups

  The Detroit Pistons are closely monitoring the status of All-Star center Jalen Duren, who is currently listed as day-to-day with right knee soreness and missed the February 6 rout of the Knicks. If Duren remains sidelined, the Pistons are expected to start Isaiah Stewart at center, with Tobias Harris, who is himself questionable with hip soreness,slated for the power forward position. The backcourt will be led by Cade Cunningham at the point and the sharpshooting Kevin Huerter at the shooting guard spot, while Ausar Thompson will likely be tasked with the primary defensive assignment on Charlotte's wings. Off the bench, Detroit will rely heavily on veteran Paul Reed and rookie Ron Holland, who has seen increased minutes in Duren's absence.

  The Charlotte Hornets have a more stable starting five but are managing significant depth issues in their backcourt. The projected starting lineup features LaMelo Ball at point guard and Brandon Miller at the wing, with rookie sensation Kon Knueppel starting at small forward. Miles Bridges will continue to anchor the power forward position, while Moussa Diabate is the projected starter at center following his dominant rebounding performance in Atlanta. The Hornets will be without the services of Coby White, who is sidelined with a calf strain, and Malaki Branham, which places additional pressure on reserves like Tre Mann and Sion James to provide scoring punch.

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  Head-to-Head Series History

  The competitive history between the Detroit Pistons and the Charlotte Hornets in the 2025-2026 season provides a stark contrast between their early-season forms and their current trajectories. The teams first met on December 21, 2025, at Little Caesars Arena, a game that resulted in a dominant 112-86 victory for the Pistons. In that encounter, Detroit's interior defense completely neutralized Charlotte's transition game, holding the Hornets to a season-low point total at the time. However, that meeting preceded the full integration of Kon Knueppel into the Hornets' primary scoring rotation and the defensive improvements implemented by coach Charles Lee in early 2026. Looking back at the last two seasons, Detroit has held a distinct advantage, winning five of the last seven regular-season meetings, including a series sweep in early 2025 where games were decided by scores of 98-94 and 112-102. Despite this historical edge for the Pistons, the current nine-game winning streak for the Hornets represents the first time in nearly a decade that Charlotte has entered a matchup with Detroit as the statistically superior team over a ten-game sample size. The betting trends reflect this shift, with Charlotte covering the spread in four of their last five games, suggesting that the February 9 matchup will likely deviate from the blowout nature of their December meeting.

• Bulls Acquire Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley Jr., Pistons Receive Kevin Huerter

  The Chicago Bulls have acquired Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. in a three-team trade with the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pistons will acquire Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric along with a 2026 first round protected swap from the Wolves.

  Ivey becomes a pre-agency candidate for the Bulls after he was unable to agree to a contract extension with the Pistons in October.

  The Bulls have Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu as unrestricted free agents this offseason as he is also a trade candidate at the deadline with potential fit concerns alongside Josh Giddey.

  The Wolves receive significant luxury tax savings with the maneuver as it will drop from $24 million to $3.8 million. Minnesota will also drop below the first apron with the transaction.

  Detroit had a need for an additional three-point shooter as they look to further their success of their regular season into the playoffs.

• Mitch Johnson, J.B. Bickerstaff To Coach All-Star Game

  The San Antonio Spurs' Mitch Johnson and Detroit Pistons' J.B. Bickerstaff are set to coach the upcoming All-Star Game on February 15.

  The Thunder's Mark Daigneault, whose team is in first place in the West, is ineligible after coaching last year.

  The Spurs are second in the West with a 33-16 record, a half game ahead of the Nuggets.

  The Pistons lead the East with a 36-12 record.

  The All-Star reserves were also announced on Sunday. The roster includes six first-time All-Stars.

• NBA All-Star Reserves Include LeBron James, Six First-Time All-Stars

  The NBA named the 2026 All-Star reserves as voted on by the NBA coaches.

  Eastern Conference

  • Scottie Barnes - Toronto Raptors
  • Jalen Duren - Detroit Pistons
  • Jalen Johnson - Atlanta Hawks
  • Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Norman Powell - Miami Heat
  • Pascal Siakam - Indiana Pacers
  • Karl-Anthony Towns - New York Knicks

  Western Conference

  • Deni Avdija - Portland Trail Blazers
  • Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
  • Kevin Durant - Houston Rockets
  • Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Chet Holmgren - Oklahoma City Thunder
  • LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets

  Avdija, Duren, Holmgren, Johnson, Murray and Powell are all first-time All-Stars. LeBron James was selected to a record 22nd All-Star team.

• Daniss Jenkins Turned Down Two-Year Minimum Contract From Pistons

  Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins turned down a contract that would have run for the remainder of this season and covered next season. Jenkins has been a regular rotation player for the Pistons this season while on a two-way contract.

  After playing against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, the second-year guard has just three games of NBA eligibility remaining this season. If Jenkins exhausts that eligibility, he'll be unable to be active in NBA games for Detroit for the remainder of the regular season. In addition, two-way players aren't eligible to play in the postseason.

  The Pistons have the ability to convert Jenkins to a rest-of-season contract, which would make the guard eligible to play in remaining games, as well as the postseason. Jenkins would then be a restricted free agent this offseason.

  Detroit also has their $5.1 million Bi-Annual Exception, which could be used to offer Jenkins more money. However, using the BAE this season means that it would not be able to be used next season.

• J.B. Bickerstaff To Coach In All-Star Game

  Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will coach one of the three All-Star teams at next month's NBA All-Star Game. Bickerstaff's Pistons will go into the All-Star break with the top record in the Eastern Conference.

  The All-Star Game is taking on a new format this year. There will be three teams of All-Stars, with two representing players from the United States and one team made up of international players. They will play a round robin mini-tournament consisting of quarter-length games. the two teams with the best records will then play a quarter-length final to determine the champion.