In one of the strangest incidents of the NBA season so far, an arrest was made on Detroit Pistons’ big man Isaiah Stewart for assault after he landed a punch on Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks prior to the Suns hosting the Pistons.
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The investigation is ongoing after Stewart was issued a citation and released, as first reported by AZ Family’s Mark McClune.
BREAKING NEWS from @azfamily Phoenix Police arrested Isaiah Stewart for assaulting Drew Eubanks. Stewart was issued a citation and released. The investigation remains active.
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) February 15, 2024
Eubanks told reporters following the incident that he was “sucker punched” by Stewart upon his arrival to the arena.
He added he never had any past incidents with Stewart, who is infamously known for an altercation with LeBron James back in Nov. 2021.
Drew Eubanks said it happened when he had just gotten to the arena, while still in street clothes. Had never had anything with Stewart outside of “just basketball shit.”
“Clearly you can see what he does, how he acts on the court, so it wasn’t surprising.”
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 15, 2024
The Phoenix Suns released a statement shortly after the incident: “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.”
Monty Williams and the Pistons’ side
Pistons’ coach Monty Williams did not agree with the Suns’ statement.
Monty said he's still getting full details on the Stewart situation. And added: "I know Phoenix came out and said it was unprovoked. I think it’s irresponsible … until you find out everything, you can’t make those statements. I heard about that, and that did not need to happen."
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) February 15, 2024
This was the Pistons statement they released prior to the game in comparison: “We are aware of the incident between Isaiah Stewart and Drew Eubanks prior to this evening’s game. We are in the process of gathering information about what happened and what provoked it, and responding to the NBA and local authorities.”
“Keeping the game first”
Eubanks would go onto play 18 minutes vs. Detroit, recording six points and six rebounds in the Suns’ 116-100 victory. Stewart was already listed as out with a left ankle sprain.
“You keep the game first,” Suns’ superstar Kevin Durant said postgame. “There’s a lot of noise around our game, a lot of s*** that comes with being an NBA player. You keep the main thing the main thing and all that stuff will fade away. It’s unfortunate what happened before the game. It’s supposed to be a brotherhood, but also understand dudes get into stuff and stuff may happen. You try to avoid that in this league, but s*** happens. Hopefully we can move on from it. We’re going to support Drew. We’ve got Drew’s back. He’ll move past it.”
Isaiah Stewart Allegedly Punched Drew Eubanks in the Tunnels
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
