Isaiah Stewart suspended 3 games by NBA for punching Drew Eubanks – Detroit Free Press
Isaiah Stewart was expected to return after the NBA All-Star break. The Detroit Pistons now will be without their fourth-year big man a while longer due to off-the-court violence.
The NBA announced Thursday that Stewart has been suspended three games for punching Phoenix Suns big man Drew Eubanks near the loading docks last week at Footprint Center in Phoenix, hours before the Pistons suffered a blowout loss.
It’s unclear what provoked the incident. According to the NBA’s press release, Stewart “punched and pushed” Eubanks and initiated it.
Stewart, 22, has already missed eight consecutive games due to an ankle sprain.
Stewart’s misdemeanor assault charge has been dismissed by the Phoenix Municipal Court, ESPN reported.
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According to the Phoenix Police Department, the two players were engaged in an argument before Stewart delivered the punch, and were then separated by security. Stewart was arrested, issued a citation and released. Eubanks said before the game the two were chest-to-chest before Stewart struck.
The Suns and Pistons both issued statements after the game. But Pistons (and former Suns) head coach Monty Williams took issue with Phoenix’s statement, which called the attack “unprovoked.”
“I think that is irresponsible, for sure, for them to do that when you really don’t know, because two sides are giving their story,” Williams said. “I think until you find out everything, you can’t make those statements. … For me, let’s get all the information. The league will do its due diligence and it’ll come up with something.”
It’s Stewart’s second suspension following an altercation in his NBA career, which began in 2020 when the Pistons traded to draft him 16th overall. He was docked two games after a now infamous incident with LeBron James in November 2021, where he tried to chase after the future Hall of Famer on the court at Little Caesars Arena, after taking an elbow to the face.
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Stewart signed a four-year, $60 million contract last summer (team option on the final year). He is averaging 11 points in 35 games this season and 6.8 rebounds, shooting a career-high 37.4% on 3.7 3-point attempts per game.
The Pistons play at Indiana on Thursday, host Orlando on Saturday, then are at New York on Monday. Stewart would be eligible to play Tuesday at Chicago.
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