The NBA has issued suspensions to five players following a brawl during the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves game on March 30, 2025, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The altercation led to the ejection of multiple players and coaching staff, prompting the league to take disciplinary action.
Details of the Incident
The confrontation began in the second quarter when Pistons forward Ron Holland II committed a foul on Timberwolves center Naz Reid. Reid reacted aggressively, leading to a verbal exchange. Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo intervened, pushing Holland, which escalated the situation into a physical altercation involving several players. The scuffle spilled into the courtside seating area, causing concern among fans and requiring intervention from team staff and security personnel to restore order.
Ejections and Immediate Aftermath
Following the incident, game officials ejected seven individuals:
- Detroit Pistons: Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, center Isaiah Stewart, forward Ron Holland II, and guard Marcus Sasser.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Assistant coach Pablo Prigioni, guard Donte DiVincenzo, and center Naz Reid.
Despite the disruptions, the game resumed after a delay, with the Timberwolves securing a 123-104 victory.
NBA Disciplinary Actions
On April 1, 2025, the NBA announced the following suspensions:
- Isaiah Stewart (Pistons): Two-game suspension, considering his history of unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Ron Holland II (Pistons): One-game suspension.
- Marcus Sasser (Pistons): One-game suspension.
- Donte DiVincenzo (Timberwolves): One-game suspension.
- Naz Reid (Timberwolves): One-game suspension.
The NBA stated that Stewart’s longer suspension was due in part to his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”
Impact on Upcoming Games
The suspended players will serve their penalties in the following games:
- Detroit Pistons: Stewart, Holland, and Sasser will miss the April 2 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Stewart also missing the April 4 game against the Toronto Raptors.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: DiVincenzo and Reid will miss the April 1 game against the Denver Nuggets.
Reactions and Statements
In the aftermath, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff defended his players, stating, “There were things said by their assistant coach… We’re going to defend each other.” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch acknowledged the intensity of the game and praised his team’s ability to regain focus, saying, “I do like the mental response we had… We didn’t lose our minds.”
The NBA’s swift response underscores its commitment to maintaining sportsmanship and discipline on the court. These suspensions serve as a reminder of the league’s intolerance for conduct detrimental to the game and its emphasis on player accountability.
