Hours earlier than the sport on Wednesday, Detroit Pistons participant Isaiah Stewart was arrested by Phoenix police for assault following an altercation during which he punched Phoenix Suns middle Drew Eubanks. Stewart was listed as out for the sport, whereas Eubanks performed 18 minutes, scoring six factors and grabbing eight rebounds.
The altercation started outdoors of the sector. As soon as the 2 entered the sector and got here chest to chest, Stewart punched Eubanks earlier than safety separated the 2. Eubanks suffered a minor harm, however he mentioned he was advantageous.
“It’s unlucky what occurred earlier than the sport, it’s speculated to be a brotherhood. However I additionally perceive dudes get into stuff. We attempt to keep away from that on this league, hopefully, we are able to transfer on from it,” Kevin Durant instructed the media after the sport. “All of us assist Drew.”
The Phoenix Suns launched an announcement briefly after the altercation, coming to the protection of their participant.
“The assault on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence reminiscent of this are unacceptable,” The Suns mentioned on this press launch. “We unequivocally assist Drew, and can proceed to work with native regulation enforcement and the NBA.”
In the meantime, the Detroit Pistons didn’t assume that Stewart was not provoked and can await the NBA investigation.
“We’re within the strategy of gathering details about what occurred and what provoked it, and responding to the NBA and native authorities,” the staff acknowledged.
This, after all, shouldn’t be Stewart’s first altercation with an NBA participant. In 2021 when elbowed by Lebron James, Stewart needed to be restrained from charging on the future corridor of famer in a time of rage.
