Detroit Pistons withstand Hornets rally in Charlotte, winning 110-104 amid four ejections and late tension

Pistons end Charlotte’s nine-game run with composed finish after third-quarter fight

The Detroit Pistons closed out a 110-104 road win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, Feb. 9, 2026, at Spectrum Center, halting Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak and completing a season sweep in the teams’ two meetings so far. Detroit entered with one of the East’s best records and left with a result built on half-court scoring, free throws in the final seconds, and a steadier fourth-quarter response after a game-altering melee.

Detroit was led by Cade Cunningham, who finished with 33 points and nine rebounds. Duncan Robinson added 18 points, and Jalen Duren scored 15 before his night ended early in the third quarter. For Charlotte, Brandon Miller scored 24, while LaMelo Ball and rookie Kon Knueppel had 20 apiece.

How the game turned: a physical third quarter and a narrow closing margin

Charlotte carried a 57-56 halftime lead after taking the first quarter 33-29 and trailing in the second 32-24. Detroit created separation in the third period, outscoring Charlotte 27-21 to take control heading into the final quarter. The Hornets won the fourth 26-22 but could not complete the comeback after the game’s most volatile sequence reshaped rotations and tempo.

• Quarter-by-quarter: Hornets 33-24-21-26 (104); Pistons 29-32-27-22 (110)
• Detroit’s edge came in the middle quarters, with a 59-45 advantage across the second and third

Four players ejected after mid-third-quarter confrontation

Midway through the third quarter, a foul on Duren by Charlotte forward Moussa Diabaté escalated into an on-court fight. The sequence included head-to-head contact, an open-hand strike, and multiple swings as other players intervened. Officials ejected Diabaté and Miles Bridges for Charlotte, and Duren and Isaiah Stewart for Detroit.

The ejections forced both teams to reconfigure lineups immediately, changing matchups at center and reducing bench options as the game tightened late.

Coach ejection and late possessions decide the finish

In the fourth quarter, Hornets head coach Charles Lee was ejected while protesting a no-call after contact involving Grant Williams and Detroit’s Paul Reed. Charlotte later cut Detroit’s lead to four with about a minute remaining, but missed two three-point attempts on the same possession. Detroit responded with a Tobias Harris jumper to extend the margin, then Cunningham’s late free throws to close the door after Ball’s drive briefly pulled Charlotte within two possessions.

Charlotte also played without newly acquired guard Coby White for a third straight game due to a strained calf. The Hornets’ upcoming trip continues Thursday at Houston, while Detroit’s next stop is Toronto before the All-Star break.