Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated that things said on court crossed a line, leading to Isaiah Stewart’s ejection during the team’s 133-119 loss against the Indiana Pacers.
The 23-year-old player shoved Pacers’ Thomas Bryant to the floor in the second quarter and was instantly ejected by the referees.
Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton combined to score 67 points for the Eastern Conference side in a game which was chippy.
The Pacers have a 3-1 record against the Pistons this season, but all four matchups have had scuffles, which shows a resemblance to the Pistons-Pacers encounters in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.
Stewart is not a player who backs down from anyone and he has proven that several times since he came into the league.
His ejection against the Pacers is his second one already this season and could lead to a potential suspension due to his past conduct in the NBA.
However, Pistons head coach Bickerstaff defended his player in his post-game press conference.
“There were things said tonight that absolutely crossed the line.
“Past basketball to man-on-man stuff and if someone says something like that to you that crosses the line, you should have every single right to do what you do to defend yourself,” said Bickerstaff.
After a disastrous 2023-24 season where they won only 14 games, the Pistons fired Monty Williams to bring in J.B. Bickerstaff to Detroit.
The 45-year-old had done an exceptional job with the young core in Cleveland and was expected to do the same in Detroit.
Currently, with a 23-24 record, the Pistons are placed eighth in the East and look like a team that could potentially clinch a play-in spot.
While his coaching has been instrumental, Cade Cunningham putting up All-Star like numbers and Jalen Duren levelling up has been one of the reasons the Pistons are a tough side to beat this season.
The Detroit Pistons are the fourth youngest team in the NBA, however, that has not stopped them from showcasing their tenacious mentality.
Bickerstaff has encouraged players to play a tough brand of basketball and while this has led to many scuffles, the team has caught the attention of the league with their performances.
