Isaiah Stewart is guaranteed to miss some game time after the NBA announced his three-game suspension without pay on Thursday in a press release.
The suspension is because of the pregame altercation between Stewart and Drew Eubanks that occurred in the back tunnels of the Footprint arena in Phoenix on Feb. 14.
Stewart and Eubanks reportedly had a heated exchange of words before it escalated to a chest-to-chest. Stewart took a swing at Eubanks and connected with his face. Security then stepped in to separate them, and members of the Phoenix Police Department arrived on the scene. Stewart was arrested, given a citation, and released following the incident.
Court records on Thursday showed that the assault charge against Stewart was dropped by the Phoenix Municipal Court one day before he was scheduled to be arraigned.
Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart Suspended 3 Games by the NBA
Video Footage Reviewed
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that there was video footage of the altercation, which the NBA reviewed as part of its investigation.
“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.”
His suspension began Thursday night when the Pistons faced off against the Indiana Pacers. He will also sit out their games against the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks and be eligible to return for the Feb. 27 game against the Chicago Bulls. Stewart has already missed significant game time this season, dealing with a left ankle injury. Because of this injury, he would have missed the game the day of the altercation.
In line with league protocol
The NBA has a zero-tolerance policy for violence of any kind, so this suspension was expected. The length of the suspension is in line with the league’s guidelines on off-field violent misdemeanors. He was not instructed to attend any mandatory anger management therapy, which is noteworthy.
The Last Word
Stewart, 22, attended the University of Washington. He was a first-round pick (No. 16) of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2020.
He is in his fourth NBA season, averaging 11 points and 6.8 rebounds for the year. The Pistons have struggled mightily this year, owning an 8-47 record following Thursday’s game against the Pacers.
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