Jan 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) dribbles in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons
PHOENIX — Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart was arrested and charged with assault after a pregame incident with Phoenix Suns power forward Drew Eubanks.
Stewart allegedly “sucker punched” Eubanks in the parking lot of Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Phoenix Police Department said in a release that the fight broke out around 4:45 p.m. local time and the Piston forward was issued a citation by the Phoenix Police Department and subsequently was released.
Eubanks suffered a minor injury from the punch but played in his team’s 116–100 win Wednesday night, recording six points, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Stewart didn’t appear in the game, having already been listed as out due to an ankle injury.
When asked about the incident after the game, Eubanks said: “Just walking in, and words were said and got sucker-punched and security stepped in, and that was it .. Clearly you see what he does, how he acts on the court, so it wasn’t surprising.” This isn’t Stewart’s first run-in with an opponent; he was involved in an altercation with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and was ejected in November 2021. “
The Suns issued a statement regarding the incident, which read: “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, who coached the previous four seasons in Phoenix, said he took issue with the Suns’ statement: “I think that is irresponsible for them to do that when you really don’t know, because two sides are giving their story. I think until you find out everything, you can’t make those statements. I heard about that and I just thought that did not need to happen. I think there is a time for information to be gathered and then you can make a statement. For me, it’s let’s get all the information. The league will do its due diligence, and it’ll come up with something. It’s just one of those situations that we just have to wait and see.”
“Keep the game first. There’s a lot of noise,” Suns star Kevin Durant said. “It’s unfortunate what happened before the game, it’s supposed to be a brotherhood. But I also understand, dudes get into stuff. We try to avoid that in this league, hopefully we can move on from it. We all support Drew.”
