The huge fight between the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves appeared to have been caused by an exchange a few plays earlier.
Five players and two coaches were ejected from Sunday’s contest after a massive fight broke out at the 8:36 mark of the second quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The incident happened after Timberwolves players Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid objected to a foul committed by Pistons rookie Ron Holland ( video here).
But things begun to get heated a few moments earlier. At around the nine-minute mark, DiVincenzo was heard taunting Pistons center Isaiah Stewart for missing a floater attempt.
DiVincenzo then got fouled on the other end, leading to Stewart trying to intimidate Donte after the T-Wolves guard hit the hardwood. Reid and Gobert tried to de-escalate the situation, but Stewart remained livid and was eventually whistled for a technical foul.
The major brawl broke out two possessions later. Stewart was not initially part of the scuffle between DiVincenzo, Holland, and Reid. But the Pistons big man, who was a few plays removed from getting heated with Donte and Reid, inserted himself into the thick of the fracas.
DiVincenzo, Reid, and assistant coach Pablo Prigioni were those ejected from the Timberwolves’ bench. Stewart, Holland, Marcus Sasser, and head coach JB Bickerstaff were tossed from the Pistons’ side.
Detroit held a six-point lead after two quarters. But Minnesota rallied in the second half to win 123-104 without two of its top-five leading scorers.
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