Detroit — Tempers flared during the first half of the Pistons’ rematch against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
Three players were ejected late in the second quarter after an altercation between Magic forward Moritz Wagner and Pistons guard Killian Hayes.
Hayes was chasing a loose ball with 33.2 seconds left until halftime when the former Michigan Wolverine Wagner blatantly pushed him out of bounds toward the Pistons’ bench. Pistons forward Hamidou Diallo then pushed Wagner in the back and a furious Hayes retaliated with an apparent punch to the back of Wagner’s head.
The entire Pistons bench surrounded Wagner, before the entire Magic bench, including players and coaches, cleared and rushed over to the area of the altercation.
The officials reviewed the play for nearly 10 minutes before Wagner, Diallo, and Hayes were each assessed flagrant foul two penalties and ejected from the game.
Diallo was playing well before his ejection with 11 points and five points off the bench. Hayes totaled five points, two rebounds and three assists. Wagner finished the game with seven points and four rebounds.
mcurtis@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @MikeACurtis2