One thing fully surprising occurred this Wednesday night, simply earlier than the Pistons have been set to play towards the Suns on the Footprint Middle in Arizona. Hours forward of tipoff, Isaiah Stewart appeared to have punched rival Drew Eubanks and was arrested and eventually launched.
The Phoenix police have been the primary to report on the scene and revealed that they issued a quotation towards the Detroit middle, who was already listed as out of the match as a consequence of a sprained left ankle. Eubanks, however, dropped 6 factors and gained 8 rebounds over 18 minutes of play in his squad’s 116-110 house victory.
The Suns huge man was requested in regards to the altercation earlier than the beginning of the competition and he shared that it occurred simply as each groups have been coming into the sector. He defined that an argument started and so they have been each head to head when Isaiah threw the punch.
Report: Drew Eubanks ‘barely flinched’ after Isaiah Stewart punched him within the face and stood there ‘stone chilly’ https://t.co/Rn5VhmSPGw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 15, 2024
That is when safety intervened and the police claimed that the Phoenix athlete had suffered a minor damage. “The assault on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence reminiscent of this are unacceptable,” the Arizona franchise mentioned in an announcement. “We unequivocally assist Drew, and can proceed to work with native legislation enforcement and the NBA.”
The Pistons additionally acknowledged the incident. “We’re within the technique of gathering details about what occurred and what provoked it, and responding to the NBA and native authorities,” the Michigan crew mentioned.
Monty Williams, the present Detroit coach who was fired by the Suns final season, believes that his former membership shouldn’t have commented on the matter with an announcement earlier than letting the authorities perceive what occurred.
“The factor is to get the entire data. The NBA will do an investigation,” he claimed. “For me to return right here and make an announcement can be a bit irresponsible. I do know the Suns mentioned it was unprovoked; I believe that’s irresponsible for positive. You actually don’t know.
“That didn’t have to occur. There’s a time for the knowledge to be gathered, after which you may make an announcement.”
The Suns middle revealed that he obtained a “delicate” punch proper earlier than safety stepped in to deal with state of affairs
Insider Duane Rankin had the chance to talk with Eubanks himself after the altercation, because the participant shared particulars on the incident. “Simply strolling in and phrases have been mentioned and bought sucker punched and safety stepped in and that was it,” Drew mentioned earlier than including it was a “delicate” punch.
“I requested Drew Eubanks about incident with Isaiah Stewart. Mentioned he was heading to the lockerroom inside area when stopped by Stewart. Had phrases, and Eubanks mentioned Stewart sucker punched him. Safety intervened and he’s wonderful. Stewart is out tonight as a consequence of damage,” the Arizona reporter mentioned.
“Hold the sport first. There’s plenty of noise,” Phoenix tremendous star Kevin Durant commented. “It’s unlucky what occurred earlier than the sport, it’s presupposed 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. All of us assist Drew.”
Let’s do not forget that this isn’t the one aggressive state of affairs that Stewart has been concerned in, as he bought in a heated trade with LeBron James again in 2021 and suffered a two-game suspension for it.