The Orlando Magic was up against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, and it was a match to remember for the spectators not only because the Pistons won the game with an enormous win with a twenty points lead but what followed just before half-time.
After a long time, a brawl took place in the NBA- people could not believe what they were witnessing as Moe Wagner pushed Killian Hayes into the Pistons’ dugout. Hayes instantly responded with a punch in the back of the head of Wagner.
PISTONS-MAGIC MAYHEM 🚨
Moe Wagner shoved Killian Hayes into the Pistons bench.
Hayes retaliated by punching him in the back of the head and Wagner appears to lose consciousness. pic.twitter.com/bwrHq1qKmY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 29, 2022
Moreover, after the incident, both players, along with Hamidou Diallo, who also impacted the brawl by shoving Wagner into the Pistons’ bench, were all ejected from the game.
After the game had ended with the Pistons winning 121-101, more players from the Magic team were suspended compared to the Pistons’ players who were beating Wagner. It seemed unfair with the NBA’s announcement of the list of suspensions- Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, Kevon Harris, and Admiral Schofield- all suspended for a game. At the same time, Franz Wagner received a two-game ban.
On the other hand, only two Pistons players were suspended -Killian Hayes punching Wagner, will not play the next three games, and Hamidou Diallo, for his involvement in the brawl, cannot play the next game.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/QH6tSJI1l7
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 30, 2022
Why are the Magic players suspended?
With the Magic players being suspended, fans were shocked and were wondering why they were being punished in the first place. Just because they wanted to ensure their team was okay? Well, that does not seem fair from any angle.
The laws of the NBA, Rule No. 12 Section VII states,
“During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators will be subject to suspension, without pay, for a minimum of one game and fined up to $50,000.”
But shouldn’t the entire Pistons team be punished if that is the case?
Furthermore, Franz Wagner was asked about the brawl, and he responded, “Obviously we’re aware [that we could be suspended], “Normally something like that happens on the court and not in front of the other benches. That was part of our worry as teammates. You don’t want your teammate alone amongst the whole other team.”
The NBA, in recent times, has been making unpredictable calls, what will happen next? stay with us for more updates.
