Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart Suspended 3 Games for Punching Suns’ Drew Eubanks

Erin WalshFebruary 22, 2024

Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons will be without Isaiah Stewart for the next three games.

The NBA has suspended Stewart three games without pay following his altercation with Phoenix Suns forward Drew Eubanks on Feb. 14 prior to a game at Footprint Center, the league announced Thursday.

Stewart is not eligible to return to the lineup until Feb. 27 against the Chicago Bulls.

NBA Communications @NBAPRThe following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/nK71vt3t9W

Stewart was arrested and issued a citation for allegedly punching Eubanks in the back tunnels of Phoenix’s arena prior to Detroit’s 116-100 loss. Police ended up having to separate the two, and Stewart was eventually released.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania and James L Edwards III reported at the time that Stewart and Eubanks “were going chest-to-chest before a swing to Eubanks’ lip area connected.”

The news of Stewart’s suspension comes after Charania reported Wednesday on FanDuel TV’s Run it Back that the had NBA reviewed footage of the incident. He added that “multiple sources” who viewed the footage said that Eubanks “really didn’t flinch, he took it and stood there stone-cold.”

“There is video, the security, Phoenix, they’ve seen it, the league has seen it too,” Charania said. “The people that I’ve spoken to that have seen it, have shown that yeah, Drew Eubanks was punched in the face, Isaiah Stewart dropped his bags and delivered a punch.”

Run It Back @RunItBackFDTV”There is video, the security, Phoenix, they’ve seen it, the league has seen it too…Drew Eubanks was punched in the face, Isaiah Stewart dropped his bags and delivered a punch.”@ShamsCharania on Isaiah Stewart and Drew Eubanks.

📺: https://t.co/qYBPWhYgh7 pic.twitter.com/kyke6K1m3Z

Stewart was originally due in Phoenix Municipal Court on Friday on a misdemeanor assault charge, but ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported Thursday that the charge has been dismissed.

Baxter Holmes @BaxterThe misdemeanor assault charge against Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart has been dismissed by the Phoenix Municipal Court, according to a filing obtained by ESPN. The motion to dismiss it was filed by the prosecutor’s office and was granted.

Stewart has started 34 of 35 games for Detroit this season and is averaging 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 47.0 percent from the floor and 37.4 percent from deep.

The 22-year-old is under contract through 2026-27 with a player option for 2027-28 after agreeing to a four-year, $64 million extension in July.

With Stewart out of the lineup for the next three games, the Pistons will turn to Jalen Duren and James Wiseman to take on some more playing time in the frontcourt.

Detroit enters Thursday’s game against the Indiana Pacers with the worst record in the NBA at 8-46.