Some are saying reminded them of the “Malice at the Palace”, so we will call it “Melee at LCA”. Killian Hayes and 2 others were ejected after an altercation that left Mo Wagner KO’d.
Woodward Sports Pistons Beat Reporter, Detroit Kool-Aid was on scene and caught it all on video.
Looks like the whole Magic bench was over by the Pistons bench during this altercation #Pistons
🎥: @DetroitKoolAid pic.twitter.com/5JIbwLtITX
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) December 29, 2022
According to the AP:
“With 34 seconds left in the first half, Wagner and Hayes chased an errant Magic pass into the backcourt. Wagner knew Orlando would be called for a backcourt violation as soon as he touched it, and as he slowed up to let it go out of bounds, Hayes tried to cut past him along the sideline.
Wagner hip-checked Hayes into the Detroit bench. starting a scuffle that involved every player on both teams.
Hayes got back up and swung his right arm and struck Wagner, who slumped over and appeared to be unconscious.”
Will this galvanize the Pistons?
The Detroit Pistons have been slumping all season. Especially after losing their leader Cade Cunningham for the season. Sometimes events like last night at LCA can spark a team and bring some unity to the locker room. An “Us vs Them” mentality. Time will tell if this happens for the Pistons.
One thing is for sure Killian Hayes has endeared himself to The Detroit Bad Boy culture.
Photo: © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports