Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart Arrested After Confrontation With Suns’ Drew Eubanks

The Detroit Pistons center was released from custody by Phoenix police but didn’t play in Wednesday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns.

Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart was arrested and charged with assault Wednesday after a pregame incident with Phoenix Suns power forward Drew Eubanks in which Stewart allegedly “sucker punched” Eubanks in the parking lot of Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Stewart was issued a citation by the Phoenix Police Department and subsequently was released. 

Eubanks suffered a minor injury from the punch but played in his team’s 116–100 win Wednesday night, recording six points, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Stewart didn’t appear in the game.

When asked about the incident after the game, Eubanks was brief.

“Just walking in, and words were said and got sucker-punched and security stepped in, and that was it,” Eubanks said. 

This isn’t Stewart’s first run-in with an opponent. He infamously got into an altercation with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and was ejected in November 2021.

“Clearly you see what he does, how he acts on the court, so it wasn’t surprising,” Eubanks added.

The Suns issued an statement regarding the incident, in which the team called the attack on Eubanks “unprovoked.”

“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,” the statement read, per The Arizona Republic.

Pistons coach Monty Williams, who coached the previous four seasons in Phoenix, was asked about the altercation after the game, and he took issue with the Suns’ statement.

Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart was arrested Wednesday after an altercation with Phoenix Suns power forward Drew Eubanks at Footprint Center :: Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

“I think that is irresponsible 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 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 NBA has yet to issue discipline to either player for their respective roles in the incident. The league is expected to receive video footage of the incident to review, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.