Pistons' Isaiah Stewart arrested after Suns' Drew Eubanks punched before game at Footprint Center
Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks said Detroit Pistons power forward Isaiah Stewart “sucker punched” him before Wednesday’s game after an exchange of words while he was heading to the locker room inside Footprint Center.
“Just walking in and words were said and got sucker punched and security stepped in and that was it,” Eubanks said before the game.
Stewart, 22, was arrested in connection with assault, issued a citation and released, according to a Phoenix Police Department news release. The report has the incident occurring in the parking tunnel of the arena.
Police officers working as security were called to the scene at 4:45 p.m. as security pointed them in the direction of Stewart and Eubanks.
Detroit Pistons big Isaiah Stewart "was arrested for assault and issued a citation and released" after incident with Phoenix Suns big Drew Eubanks before Wednesday game at Footprint Center.
Punched Eubanks in face, causing "a minor injury"
"The investigation remains active." https://t.co/1xNEsVQz1u pic.twitter.com/yi4AR9WtnZ— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 15, 2024
The officers spoke to the two players and witnesses. They came to the conclusion that an argument between Eubanks and Stewart escalated when Stewart punched Eubanks, 27, causing "a minor injury."
Security broke up the fight. Suns head coach Frank Vogel said he was told about the incident when arriving at the arena as it happened right before he got there.
"There's no place for anything like that in our game," said Vogel said. "There's no place for it."
"Ridiculous. Total BS."
Frank Vogel on Devin Booker ejection in Suns win vs. Pistons.
Refs told him they told Booker to stop and that Booker didn't. Vogel said he's seen worse.
Also addressed Drew Eubanks/Isaiah Stewart.
"No place for anything like that in our game." #Suns pic.twitter.com/fjgrvL15VN— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 15, 2024
Eubanks played in Wednesday's game, posting six points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a 116-100 win at Footprint Center.
"You keep the game first," Suns superstar Kevin Durant said. "A lot of noise around our game, a lot of stuff 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 stuff 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."
When asked if he and Stewart ever had any beef, Eubanks said, “Just basketball stuff, stuff that goes on the court.” Stewart sat out of Wednesday’s game due to a left ankle sprain.
“We were walking in, words were said, got face-to-face and just sucker punched me and then security got in the way,” Eubanks reiterated.
"It's supposed to be a brotherhood."
Kevin Durant on Drew Eubanks/Isaiah Stewart deal.
On Devin Booker ejection: "He was talking to me. I guess he said something that ticked the ref off, but they were on edge because of the situation. They didn't want things to escalate." #Suns pic.twitter.com/EwfJvCRxm8— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 15, 2024
Eubanks said he’s “straight,” and that Stewart’s punch was a “soft” punch. Eubanks is usually one of the earlier Suns to the arena as he does his pregame workout with Nassir Little.
Stewart and LeBron James got into it two seasons ago, which led to ejections. He's also had incidents with Bucks guard Patrick Beverley.
“Clearly you can see what he does, how he acts on the court," Eubanks said. "So it wasn’t surprising.”
The Suns released an official statement on 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.”
More Suns: Devin Booker ejection, Eubanks-Stewart incident: Takeaways from Suns win vs. Pistons
An NBA spokesperson told The Republic the league "will be reviewing the situation" as there are surveillance cameras throughout the arena. The walkway from the parking lot to the locker rooms is very spacious and open.
Pistons coach Monty Williams said he's talked to Stewart about the incident as he took issue with the Suns using the word "unprovoked" in their statement.
"I think that is irresponsible for them to do that when you really don’t know because two sides are giving their story," said Williams, who coached four seasons in Phoenix. "I think until you find out everything, you can’t make those statements. I heard about that and I just thought that did not need to happen. I think there is a time for information to be gathered and then you can make a statement. For me, it’s 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 that we just have to wait and see.”
The Pistons also released a statement.
“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.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pistons' Isaiah Stewart arrested after Suns' Drew Eubanks punched