Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart is slated to appear in court on February 23rd at the Phoenix Municipal Court following accusations of misdemeanor assault against Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium broke the news regarding the charge.
The incident unfolded prior to the teams’ Wednesday matchup, with Stewart being apprehended and subsequently released on citation, while Eubanks wasn’t subjected to arrest.
Allegedly occurring near the Footprint Center’s tunnels as Eubanks was entering the arena in casual attire, the altercation reportedly started with exchanged words and culminated in Stewart punching Eubanks, as recounted by Eubanks himself to reporters.
"It's supposed to be a brotherhood."
Kevin Durant on Drew Eubanks/Isaiah Stewart deal.
On Devin Booker ejection: "He was talking to me. I guess he said something that ticked the ref off, but they were on edge because of the situation. They didn't want things to escalate." #Suns pic.twitter.com/EwfJvCRxm8
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 15, 2024
In response, the Suns issued a statement condemning the violence, expressing unwavering support for Eubanks and affirming cooperation with local law enforcement and the NBA.
However, Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams urged for a comprehensive understanding of the incident, cautioning against labeling it as “unprovoked” prematurely. Williams emphasized the necessity of gathering all relevant information before making conclusive statements.
Reports from Charania and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic highlighted previous confrontations between Stewart and Eubanks during a November 5th game, suggesting a history of aggression between the two players.
Stewart’s prior suspension for two games in 2021 following an altercation with LeBron James also drew attention, underscoring his tendency towards heated exchanges on the court.
As the NBA conducts its official review of the incident, the impending legal proceedings will likely influence any punitive actions taken by the league. The outcome of the legal process will play a pivotal role in determining potential suspensions or fines, underscoring the complexity of the situation as it unfolds.
