The NBA has announced that the league has suspended two Pistons players and nine Magic players for their roles in an altercation that occurred yesterday during the second quarter of a game.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/QH6tSJI1l7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 30, 2022
Killian Hayes of the Pistons received the worst penalty—a three-game ban without pay. Moritz Wagner, a center with the Magic, has been given a two-game suspension without pay. Hamidou Diallo, a guard for Detroit, received a one-game suspension as well. Hayes and Diallo won’t be playing in Friday’s away game against the Bulls for the club.
For their roles in the on-court altercation that started when Wagner pushed Hayes out of bounds into the Pistons’ bench as the two were vying for a loose ball, Hayes, Wagner, and Diallo were all shown the door from the game on Wednesday night, which Detroit won 121-101. After Diallo shoved Wagner in the back, Hayes heightened the situation by punching Wagner in the back of the head. After the blow, Wagner seemed to lose consciousness. Wagner was supported by a number of Magic players who came off the bench, all of whom received punishment for their actions.
The NBA has suspended a total of eight Orlando Magic players for their roles in the brawl, including guards Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, and Kevon Harris, swingmen Franz Wagner and Admiral Schofield, and centers Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba. Each of the eight players will be suspended for one game.
According to a press release from the NBA, the Magic will have enough players for their next two games because their absences will be spaced out. The Magic will be without Anthony, Gary Harris, Hampton, Bamba, and Carter for Friday’s game against the Wizards. On Friday, Wagner’s two-game suspension will also begin. The other players won’t be able to play in Thursday’s game against the Thunder.
