PHOENIX – An injured Detroit Pistons player was arrested overnight for punching an opposing player in the face before a game.
Isaiah Stewart was reportedly taken into custody for assault and issued a citation after he punched Drew Eubanks, of the Phoenix Suns, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Police said he has been released.
NBA insider Shams Charania reports Stewart encountered Eubanks in the tunnels of the Footprint Center before tip-off between the Pistons and Suns. Stewart is currently injured, and he was not expected to play in Wednesday’s game.
Suns reporter Duane Rankin said Eubanks told him he was heading to the locker room when he was stopped by Stewart. The two exchanged words before Stewart “sucker punched him,” according to Eubanks.
“The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable,” the Suns said in a statement, according to Rankin. “We unequivocally support Drew, and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA.”
Security intervened after the punch was thrown, according to reports. Police were called, and Stewart was seen leaving the arena around 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
He has been charged with assault, according to authorities.
NBA officials are trying to obtain video of the altercation.
Eubanks said he was fine, and he played in the game, scoring 6 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 18 minutes. He called it a “soft punch.”
The Suns beat the Pistons 116-100.
Stewart hasn’t played since the end of January due to an ankle injury, but he was hoping to return after the All-Star break. It’s unclear how much more time he could miss because of what happened in Phoenix.
The Pistons are currently the worst team in the NBA with an 8-46 record -- one game behind the Washington Wizards. They finished as the league’s worst team by a full five games last season.
