Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended for three games for a pregame altercation with Phoenix Suns guard Drew Eubanks. NBA announced Thursday.
Stewart's suspension begins Thursday's game between the Pistons and Indiana Pacers. He missed games against the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks and will be eligible to return on February 27th against the Chicago Bulls.
Stewart punched Eubanks in the face during an argument in the back tunnel of the Footprint Center on February 14, and was later arrested and released on suspicion of assault. The two reportedly went chest-to-chest when Stewart took a swing, which led to Eubanks' mouth.
according to The Athletic's Shams Charaniathe altercation was caught on camera and the NBA has reviewed the footage.
“There’s video, security, Phoenix, they saw it, the league saw it… Drew Eubanks getting punched in the face, Isaiah Stewart dropping the bag and punching. I did.”@Shams Charania About Isaiah Stewart and Drew Eubanks.
📺: https://t.co/qYBPWhYgh7 pic.twitter.com/kyke6K1m3Z
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 21, 2024
Eubanks said Stewart stopped him on his way back to the locker room, exchanged a few words, and then punched him.
“I just walked in and got yelled at, got a bad punch, and then security intervened and that was it,” Eubanks said, via Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
After the game, the Suns said the “attack” on Eubanks was “unprovoked,” saying, “This type of violence is unacceptable. We stand behind Drew unequivocally and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA.” We will continue to do so.'' ”
Stewart is a repeat offender when it comes to collisions with other players, receiving a two-game suspension in 2021 for charging at LeBron James after James bled from his face, and a two-game suspension in 2023 for charging at LeBron James after James bled from his face. He was sent off for pushing a man to the ground. .
Stewart is scheduled to appear in Phoenix Municipal Court on Friday on a charge of misdemeanor assault.
