As expected, the NBA has handed out penalties in the wake of Wednesday night’s brawl between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic.
The league announced the penalties Thursday night. Pistons guard Killian Hayes has been suspended three games without pay, while Magic center Mo Wagner has been suspended two games without pay. Pistons guard Hamidou Diallo, who along with Hayes and Wagner was ejected after the incident, is suspended one game without pay.
In addition, eight other Magic players will be suspended for one game without pay for “leaving the bench area during an on-court altercation,” according to the NBA Communications release.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/QH6tSJI1l7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 30, 2022
Magic guards Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris and Kevon Harris, forwards Admiral Schofield and Franz Wagner, and centers Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr. will serve one-game suspensions.
The second-quarter brawl erupted when Wagner chased down a loose ball with Hayes in hot pursuit. Hayes was clearly going to get to the ball first, but Wagner shoved him into the Pistons’ bench. Hayes retaliated with a punch to the back of Wagner’s head and the brawl was on.
Tempers flare in Detroit after an altercation between Moe Wagner and Killian Hayes.@OrlandoMagic | #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/ig6lYrdju8
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) December 29, 2022
Diallo will serve his suspension Friday, and Hayes and Wagner will begin their suspensions that day.
The NBA announced that the eight Magic players suspended for leaving the bench area will have their suspensions staggered so the team is able to field a team in its next two games. Anthony, Hampton, Gary Harris, Bamba and Carter Jr. will sit out Friday’s game against the Washington Wizards. Kevon Harris, Schofield and Wagner will sit out the Jan. 4 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The NBA world wasted no time reacting to the punishments.
“These suspensions is just a big conspiracy so that the Pistons and Magic can take for Victor without being noticed,” tweeted one fan, referring to the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama.
“Punch to the back of the head is only 3 games. Yikes,” tweeted Brett S.
orlando's lineup next game pic.twitter.com/ZXAv4y6mtC
— We’re Emback (@chase8d) December 30, 2022
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