Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart punched Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks in the face in a pregame altercation outside Footprint Center on Wednesday, according to local police. Stewart was arrested for assault and charged with a citation before being released.
According to an official release by the Phoenix Police department, the incident occurred at around 4:45pm local time. When officers arrived on the scene, they spoke to security and multiple witnesses.
According to statements obtained by the police from witnesses, both players were seen going at it as they made their way to the arena. This escalated to a chest-to-chest before Stewart punched Eubanks in the face, causing a “minor injury.” Security had to step in to separate the two.
Eubanks played in the game despite the minor injury. Isaiah Stewart was already going to miss the game with an ankle injury.
It’s important to acknowledge that there is some bad blood between the two players. This dates back to the November 5th game between the Pistons and the Suns at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit.
Isaiah Stewart Arrested for Punching Drew Eubanks
Eubanks’ Comments
Drew Eubanks said this on the incident in the locker room pregame:
“Basically we were walking in, words were said and we got face-to-face, and then (Stewart) just sucker-punched me.”
When asked about what specifically caused the argument, Eubanks said it was “just basketball sh*t,” though he also had this to say about Stewart:
“Clearly you can see what he does, how he acts on the court, so it wasn’t surprising.”
It’s interesting to see Stewart’s contemporaries view him in this light. The 22-year-old, nicknamed “Beef Stew,” is known across the league as the enforcer on this young Pistons team.
Teams’ Statements
The Phoenix Suns in their released statement described the attack from Stewart as “unprovoked”:
“The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable. We unequivocally support Drew, and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA.”
Pistons’ coach Monty Williams, a former head coach of the Suns for 4 years, took exception to the statement from the Suns. Here is what he said, via ESPN:
“The thing is to get all of the information. The NBA will do an investigation,” Williams said.
“For me to come here and make a statement would be a bit irresponsible. I know the Suns said it was unprovoked; I think that is irresponsible for sure. You really don’t know.”
“That did not need to happen. There is a time for the information to be gathered, and then you can make a statement.”
The Detroit Pistons released a statement acknowledging the incident:
“We are in the process of gathering information about what happened and what provoked it, and responding to the NBA and local authorities,” the team said.
Police investigations are ongoing while the NBA will review video footage of the incident as part of its investigation.
Impact on the Game
The incident had a direct impact on the game, as the referees were on alert due to the high tension caused by the incident. It would eventually culminate in a soft ejection for Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker after he made a comment at the refs mid-game.
Potential Punishment for Stewart
This is not the first time Isaiah Stewart was in an altercation with another NBA player. He famously had an on-court scuffle with LeBron James in 2021 that earned him a two-game suspension.
The NBA clamps down hard on violence of any sorts. A suspension of Stewart is almost guaranteed unless some new facts come to light during the NBA’s investigation. Also, since it is a violent misconduct, Isaiah Stewart may be subject to some mandatory counseling of at least 5 sessions and at most, 10 sessions.
