FEBRUARY 15, 7:00am: Stewart was arrested by Phoenix police for assault, according to Mark McClune of KTVK 3TV (Twitter link), who says the Pistons big man was issued a citation and was released. The police investigation into the incident remains active.
Meanwhile, Pistons head coach Monty Williams said after Wednesday’s game that the Suns’ statement on the incident was “irresponsible” (Twitter link via Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press).
“I know Phoenix came out and said it was unprovoked. I think it’s irresponsible,” Williams said. “… Until you find out everything, you can’t make those statements. I heard about that, and that did not need to happen.”
FEBRUARY 14, 7:55pm: The Suns have released a statement regarding the incident, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter link). “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.”
A league spokesperson confirmed the NBA will review the altercation, Rankin adds (via Twitter).
FEBRUARY 14, 7:10pm: Prior to Wednesday’s game in Phoenix, Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart punched Suns center Drew Eubanks in the face, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). The NBA is expected to review footage of the incident, Charania adds.
According to Charania and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, it’s unclear what initiated the incident, but evidently the two big men were “chest-to-chest” before Stewart landed a punch near Eubanks’ lip. Police separated the two players and “inspected the scene,” per The Athletic’s report.
Speaking to reporters pregame, Eubanks confirmed he was hit, as Gerald Bouguet of PHNX Sports relays (All Twitter links). Phoenix’s backup center said he’d just arrived to the arena and was in street clothes when the incident occurred, adding that he had never been involved in any other off-court altercations with Stewart.
“Words were said, I got sucker punched, and security intervened. … Clearly you can see what he does, how he acts on the court, so it wasn’t surprising,” Eubanks said.
Eubanks added that he was fine and will be playing tonight vs. Detroit, while Stewart is inactive with an ankle sprain.
Wednesday will mark Stewart’s eighth straight absence due to the injury, with his last appearance coming January 28. As Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press tweets, Stewart had been slated to return to action immediately after the All-Star break, but that return could be postponed if he’s suspended, which seems very likely.
According to Sankofa (Twitter link), the Pistons had no comment on the altercation as of 7:15 pm CT.
In November 2021, Stewart was suspended for two games without pay “for escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively” pursuing LeBron James, who received a one-game suspension for “recklessly hitting Stewart in the face” and initiating the incident. Both players were ejected — Stewart received two technical fouls and James received a Flagrant 2 foul. The video of that incident can be found here.
Though not as high profile as Draymond, Stewart has to be considered a repeat offender for this type of action after previously trying to get into another team’s locker room to try to fight. Also, with it happening outside of a game, it’s probably assault.
If the league doesn’t send a big message to Stewart he will continue to do it. A 10 game suspension would be fitting. It’s not like the Pistons need him.
Adam Silver will drop the hammer on him… with a 3 game suspension and some group therapy with Eubanks
Only three games?
That was the joke lol
The league has already sent a message. When Draymond sucker-punched a teammate in the face and … nothing happened. The message was “It’s okay to punch people in the face in NBA. Keep going.”
As you sow, so you shall reap.
Because an indefinite suspension was a slap on the wrist right?
The indefinite suspension was for punching Jusuf Nurkic not for hitting his own teammate Jordan Poole. He received no suspension for punching Poole.
The Players Association would probably throw a hissy fit so as nice as that would be I doubt it happens. Then again, considering this happened pregame instead of in-game maybe that changes the calculation.
When keeping it real goes wrong.
Tough break for the Pistons. Stewy has helped them win so many games this year.
Like all both of them?
There is really nothing funnier than a snarky reply from someone who missed the sarcasm. I love when this happens.
What’s your beef, Stew?
Unprovoked yet chest to chest? Odd, you sure Eubanks didn’t headbutt Stew’s fist?
Slow up. Chest to chest and unprovoked aren’t words that go together.
And I’m not sure the term ‘sucker punch’ fits here either.
How do you get to that conclusion? Chest to chest does not mean someone is expecting to get clocked in the face.
If someone says something unprovoked to you and then you “check” them and end up chest to chest, thats still unprovoked.
But we need more details on this story before judging it.
what beef would 2 grown mean playing a game have between them? these people are mentally fragile.
Remember when Zach Randolph punched Louis Amundson??? At least that was on the court though. Another suns player who get wrecked.
“He sucker punched me even though we were chest to chest and I saw the punch coming. I did nothing wrong even though I was instigating by going chest to chest. WAAAAAHHHHHH!” Cry baby.
Imagine thinking you’re smarter than the people who were there and actually witnessed it
Since the pistons can’t beat anyone on the court, they are now trying to beat them before the game.
Hoping they release the video shortly.
If you want to see people fighting just watch ufc lol it’s not that deep
Nah, i watch enough people fighting in the comment sections.
Some degree of provocation exists in almost all assaults, including most homocides. Absent a claim of self-defense, it’s usually only a mitigating factor. The AS break gives the parties some time to see if they can get a dismissal. If not, and the case moves forward, I can’t see Silver allowing Stewart to play again this season.
So in-game fight is not illegal but pre-game fight as away team is illegal?
I know GSW should have trade for beef stew
Yeah maybe Draymond Green can mentor him.