The Detroit Pistons’ rivalry with the Indiana Pacers has been reignited in recent weeks, fueled by verbal exchanges between players on both sides. On Wednesday, the Pistons were overwhelmed by their division rivals, losing 133-119 in a game where Pistons center Isaiah Stewart delivered a hard forearm to Pacers big man Thomas Bryant’s chest. The hit knocked Bryant to the ground and raised questions about what might have sparked it during the game. After the matchup, Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff defended his team’s decision to use physical play against the Pacers.
When asked if what happened with Stewart was “a little unfair,” Bickerstaff responded directly. “Here’s what I’ll say, and I’ll leave it at that,” Bickerstaff said. “There are things that happen on the court that you have to handle, but then there are things said to you that go beyond basketball, and when it crosses that line like it did tonight, you have every right to stand up for yourself.” Bickerstaff concluded by telling the media they were free to “do whatever fishing they want to do” in pursuit of a story about the team, but ended with a strong message: “There were things said tonight that absolutely crossed the line, beyond basketball to personal matters,” Bickerstaff said. “And if someone says something like that to you, you have every right to defend yourself,” he finished, thanking the media.