The Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets game saw four players ejected after brawling

“Emotions were running high,” Duren said after the game. “At the end of the day, we would have liked to keep the basketball, but things happen. Everyone was playing hard.”

“This is not the first time people have tried to be more aggressive with us and talk to us, whatever the case may be.

“At the end of the day, emotions ran high with everyone competing. Things happen.”

Bridges later apologized to fans, writing on Instagram: “Sorry Hornets Nation! Sorry Hornets organization! I will always protect my teammates forever.”

Chief official John Goebel said in the post-match report that the players were sent off because they “engaged in combative activity during the dead ball”.

He added: “After the review, we evaluated the combat fouls, and according to the regulations, they were expelled from the match.”

When asked about the clash between Diabate and Doreen that sparked the wider brawl, Lee said: “Two men got into a heated conversation and then things escalated from there.”

“I should have had a little better emotional control in that moment,” Lee added of his ejection in the fourth quarter.

Elsewhere, Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry will miss Sunday’s All-Star Game due to a right knee injury.

However, the Warriors are hopeful that Curry will return after the All-Star break for the game against the Boston Celtics on February 19.