In a postgame conference, Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff talked about Isaiah Stewart's ejection, saying that Stewart, in that situation, should've been able to defend himself.
The Detroit Pistons fell 133-119 in a heated Central Division matchup against the Indiana Pacers, playing most of the game without backup center Isaiah Stewart, who was ejected midway through the second quarter.
Isaiah Stewart
| Team: |
Detroit Pistons |
| Position: | PF, C |
| Age: | 23 |
| Height: | 206 cm |
| Weight: | 113 kg |
| Birth place: | New York, United States of America |
Stewart received a flagrant two foul for pushing Indiana center Thomas Bryant during a free throw attempt.
During his postgame press conference, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff addressed the incident and provided insight into the altercation.
"I'll leave it at this. There are things that happen on a basketball court that you have to deal with," Bickerstaff said. "Then there are certain things that are said to you that are no longer about basketball. And when it crosses that line like it did tonight, you should be able to stand up for yourself."
"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 need to do to defend yourself," he added.
Tensions frequently escalated on the court throughout the game. Pacers players Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, and Tyrese Haliburton were vocal nearly every time a field goal was scored against the Pistons.
Myles Turner received a technical foul after pushing Malik Beasley in the second quarter, and Tim Hardaway Jr. got in a physical altercation with Turner in the second half of the game.
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