Pistons center Isaiah Stewart is being accused of punching Suns center Drew Eubanks in the pregame to tonight’s game in Phoenix.
According to Shams Charania and James Edwards of The Athletic, league sources confirmed that Stewart punched Eubanks in the face during an altercation in the tunnel of the Footprint Center.
According to league sources, both Stewart and Eubanks were chest to chest before a swing to Eubanks’ lip area connected. Police needed to get involved to separate the two and were called to the scene. Stewart left the arena with members of the Pistons’ staff following the altercation. The NBA is expected to receive footage to review.
“The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable,” a Suns spokesperson said. “We unequivocally support Drew, and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA.”
Stewart was out of the lineup for the Pistons tonight with an ankle sprain, however, there seems to be history between both Eubanks and Stewart. Charania and Edwards highlight a November 5 game between the two teams in which both players were particularly chippy throughout the game.
Despite the Suns’ statement, the Pistons didn’t comment on the matter.
Isaiah Stewart Arrested for Pregame Altercation
Breaking overnight, Detroit center Isaiah Stewart was arrested and cited for assault after reportedly punching Phoenix’s Drew Eubanks before last night’s game between the Pistons and Suns.
Eubanks was walking to the Suns’ locker room at Phoenix’s Footprint Center when he was stopped by Stewart, the Suns player told Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.
“Just walking in and words were said and got sucker punched and security stepped in and that was it,” Eubanks told Rankin.
USA Today
Sports and it’s relationship with real life is weird though. If Stewart punched Eubanks during the game there’s no way the Pistons’ forward gets arrested.
Anyways, Stewart has since been released by Phoenix police.