The NBA suspended Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart for three games last week for getting into an altercation with Suns forward Drew Eubanks at Phoenix’s Footprint Center that led to Stewart’s arrest.
Hours before the Feb. 14 game, Phoenix police said the two players were involved in an argument before the Detroit player punched Eubanks near the Suns’ home court loading dock.
“Stewart’s suspension will begin at the next NBA regular season game in which he is eligible and physically able to play, which will be tonight’s game between the Pistons and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. “This is planned,” the NBA announced. statement.
Stewart, who had missed the past eight games against Detroit due to an ankle sprain, was taken into custody by local police and released with a summons to appear, and a Phoenix Municipal Court dismissed a misdemeanor assault charge against him. According to ESPN.
The cause of the altercation remains unclear.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday The league has viewed video of the incident, and people said the tape showed Eubanks being “punched in the face and Isaiah Stewart dropping the bag and throwing punches.”
“It showed that Drew Eubanks is truly unfazed,” Charania noted. “He took it and stood there really cold, obviously separated by security. Eventually, Isaiah Stewart also left the arena with Pistons security.”
The Suns released a statement after the game calling the incident “unprovoked” and saying “this type of violence is unacceptable.”
However, Pistons coach Monty Williams, who was fired by the Suns in May, criticized Phoenix’s comments.
“I certainly think it’s irresponsible for them to do that when they don’t really know, because both sides are telling their own story,” Williams said. According to the Detroit Free Press. “I don’t think you can make a statement like that until we figure everything out. When I heard that, I thought it was inevitable. We have time to gather information, and then we can make a statement.”
Thursday was the first night of play after the NBA All-Star break.
The Pistons are scheduled to play the Pacers in Indiana.
