Isaiah Stewart: Pistons Forward Faces Charges After Punching Sun's Drew Eubanks Pregame
Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks alleges that Detroit Pistons power forward Isaiah Stewart "sucker punched" him before Wednesday's game. The incident unfolded following a verbal exchange as Eubanks was heading to the locker room at Footprint Center. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart found himself in legal trouble after an altercation with Phoenix Suns player Drew Eubanks preceding Wednesday's NBA game, according to CNN.

The 22-year-old Stewart was arrested for assault, promptly issued a citation, and subsequently released, according to the Phoenix Police Department's news release.

Stewart, in his fourth season with the Pistons, engaged in a dispute with Eubanks, a 27-year-old forward for the Suns, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Police responded to a call about the brawl around 4:45 p.m. local time in the arena's parking lot tunnel. The altercation escalated, resulting in Stewart punching Eubanks, causing minor injuries.

"Detectives responded to investigate the incident and collect evidence," Phoenix Police stated, emphasizing that the investigation remains active.

"The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable," the Suns' statement.

The team pledged full support for Eubanks and committed to collaborating with law enforcement and the NBA.

The Pistons acknowledged the incident, stating, "We are in the process of gathering information about what happened and what provoked it and responding to the NBA and local authorities."

Pistons Coach Criticizes Suns' Statement

The Detroit Pistons acknowledged the incident involving Isaiah Stewart and said they are currently gathering information to understand what happened and what led to it, AP reports.

The team is committed to cooperating with the NBA and local authorities in responding to the situation.

Pistons coach Monty Williams expressed the need for a thorough investigation before making any definitive statements.

He emphasized the importance of gathering all relevant information, stating that it would be irresponsible to jump to conclusions.

Williams suggested that making statements without a complete understanding of the situation is not conducive to a fair evaluation.

Williams also commented on the timing of the Suns' statement, expressing his belief that it was premature.

He stressed the need for patience and allowing the NBA to conduct a proper investigation before drawing any conclusions.

Despite the recent events, players like Kevin Durant highlighted the importance of prioritizing the game and maintaining a sense of brotherhood within the league.

Isaiah Stewart and Drew Eubanks

Despite the altercation, Drew Eubanks, a 6-foot-10 player formerly of Oregon State, remained uninjured.

He played 18 minutes in the subsequent game against the Pistons, contributing 6 points to the Suns' 116-100 victory, SI noted.

This is not the first time Stewart has been involved in such incidents.

His on-court altercation with LeBron James in 2021 brought them to suspension.

Indiana native Isaiah Stewart played a solitary season as a freshman for the Huskies in 2019-20, known for his soft-spoken and well-mannered demeanor.

Despite this, he shared a memorable quote, stating, "I'm pretty angry pretty much every game," reflecting his intense and hardworking approach.

In his fifth NBA season, Stewart averages 11 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

However, the Pistons, standing at 8-46 after the 16-point defeat to the Suns, possess the worst record in the league.

Isaiah Stewart has experienced ongoing frustration playing for a Detroit franchise that has struggled consistently throughout his career.

While the investigation into the altercation continues, the NBA, local authorities, and both teams are actively monitoring and responding to the situation, awaiting further developments.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Pistons' Isaiah Stewart arrested for assault for punching Suns' Drew Eubanks during pregame altercation - From ABC15 Arizona