Pistons-Timberwolves Brawl Sparks Debate Over NBA’s Tolerance for In-Game Scuffles

The NBA is a league that has seen its fair share of drama on and off the court. Some of it has validity; oftentimes, it doesn’t. One inaccurate perception that a lot of people who aren’t true basketball fans have is that NBA players don’t care. That couldn’t be further from the truth. But from the outside looking in, sports like hockey and baseball cheer on scuffles—especially if you’re standing up for your teammate.

Last night, we had a fight in the first half of the Minnesota T-Wolves and Detroit Pistons game that resulted in seven ejections. Head coach JB Bickerstaff and Minnesota assistant coach Pablo Prigioni were ejected, along with the players listed below. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, Ron Hollander, and Marcus Sasser were all ejected, while Minnesota had to finish the game without Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid.

All-Star guard Cade Cunningham has been sidelined the last three games. The Pistons had gone undefeated before their loss last night since he’s been out. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle found a nice rhythm, combining for 51 points.

When Edwards was asked after the game about his message following the scuffle and ejections, he kept it about basketball: “If we gonna fight, let’s fight then. They out, we out — it’s time to fight. We can’t throw punches, let’s throw punches on the court.”

He was asked about how he and Julius Randle helped refocus the team and shift the mentality after the fight.

Asked Anthony Edwards about he and Julius Randle refocusing the team and the mentality after the fight.

“If we gonna fight, let’s fight then. They out, we out — it’s time to fight. We can’t throw punches, let throw punches on the court.” pic.twitter.com/vvTzvkmbDn

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) March 31, 2025

The NBA is very strict about punishments for fighting, especially when it spills into the crowd like it did. Commissioner Adam Silver knows there are only seven or eight games left in the regular season. If these players are suspended, it will likely be for a max of that amount—to send a message, but not dilute any team’s play-in or playoff potential.

A fight breaks out between the Pistons and Timberwolves

Donte DiVincenzo, Naz Reid, Ron Holland, Isaiah Stewart, Marcus Sasser, Pistons HC J. B. Bickerstaff and Wolves assistant coach Pablo Prigioni were all ejected pic.twitter.com/TJA3OczOxB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 31, 2025