Isaiah Stewart of Detroit Pistons suspended 3 games by NBA for punching Drew Eubanks
Isaiah Stewart was expected to return after the NBA All-Star break. But due to an off-the-court arrest, the Detroit Pistons now will be without their fourth-year big man a while longer.
The NBA announced Thursday that Stewart will be suspended for 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. He has a court date Friday in Phoenix.
It's unclear what provoked the incident.
Stewart, 22, has already missed eight consecutive games due to an ankle sprain.
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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. I heard about that, and that just thought that did need to happen. There’s a time for information to be gathered, and then you can make a statement. For me, 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 where we have to wait and see."
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It's Stewart's second suspension following an altercation, after his infamous incident with LeBron James in November 2021, where he chased the future Hall of Famer around the court mid-game at Little Caesars Arena. He was docked two games.
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 and at Chicago on Tuesday.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Isaiah Stewart suspended 3 games by NBA for punching Drew Eubanks
