Detroit Pistons center/forward Isaiah Stewart is expected to miss eight straight games with a sprained left ankle, according to the NBA injury report. Nevertheless, it did not prevent him from physically facing the opposing team.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the league is investigating an altercation between Stewart and Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks on Wednesday. The two players reportedly met in the back tunnel of Footprint Center, where the Suns will play, prior to the teams’ matchup on Wednesday night.
The reason for the altercation is unknown at this time, but sources told The Athletic that both players were chest-to-chest before Stewart punched Eubanks in the face. Both players had to be separated by law enforcement. The NBA plans to obtain the footage for review soon. The altercation occurred two hours before the tip-off at 9 p.m. ET.
Wednesday night will be the final game of the Pistons’ five-game West Coast trip. They take on the Suns on Tuesday night fresh off a 125-111 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
This isn’t the first time Stewart has been involved in a physical altercation since entering the NBA.
During the Pistons vs. Lakers game at Little Caesars Arena in November 2021, LeBron James’ elbow hit Stewart in the face as he tried to box out for a rebound, hitting Stewart in the face in the process. He was bloodied and sent off. Furious over the incident, Stewart had to be stopped several times from confronting James. He was also sent off from the match. The NBA suspended Stewart for two games without pay.
Stewart is averaging 11 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Pistons this season.
Updated at 8:27pm:
“Words were said to me, I got a really bad punch, and security intervened,” Eubanks told PHNX Sports’ Phoenix Suns lead writer Gerard Bourget. Eubanks said the situation arose as soon as he arrived at the arena for Wednesday’s game. Despite blood coming from his mouth, Eubanks said he was unfazed by the punch and did not let it interfere with his play.
“No, I’m straight. Soft punch,” Eubanks said.
