Pistons Player Suspended for Punching Suns' Drew Eubanks
PHOENIX -- Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart is being suspended for three games after striking Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks in the face during a pre-game altercation over a week ago.
This was initially reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic's Shams Charania:
The NBA released the following statement shortly after those reports broke:
"The NBA announced today that Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Steward has been suspended three games without pay for initiating a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns forward-center Drew Eubanks on Feb. 14 before a game between the Pistons and Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Stewart punched and pushed Eubanks during the altercation.
"Stewart will begin serving his suspension with the next NBA regular-season game that he is eligible and physically able to play, which is expected to be tonight's game between the Pistons and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis."
Stewart was taken by police after striking Eubanks in the tunnel of the arena and was arrested before being released later. He was out that night due to injury.
According to Charania, footage revealed Eubanks barely moved after being hit:
"I'm told Drew Eubanks was punched in the mouth area and from what I'm told, the footage will show, Drew Eubanks barely flinched. He stood there stone cold, took the punch obviously and police/security got involved, separated them," he said.
The Suns are back on the road after the All-Star break as the Dallas Mavericks play host tonight.
