Isaiah Stewart Should Consider an MMA Career

While Stewart wasn’t initially involved, as soon as the shoving started, he joined in and started going after Donte DiVincenzo. In addition to ejection, the league  suspended each player involved for one game, except Stewart, who received a two-game suspension due to a “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”

Not only did Stewart receive a suspension but he also got banned from Parkway Pizza, a Minneapolis pizza restaurant known for its Timberwolves fandom.

The brawl entered the crowd, which made it more concerning. Stewart’s involvement is seen more in this crowd angle.

Stewart vs. LeBron

One of Stewart’s most notable incidents came in 2021 after he received an elbow to the face from LeBron James, causing him to bleed. It was clearly unintentional contact by LeBron; however, Stewart would not let it go, as it took him time to cool down.

The game commentators mentioned how his “temper is ridiculous” and that “you don’t see somebody that out of control often in any sport,” including combat and hockey.

After multiple attempts to hold Stewart back, he got loose and ran to the locker room area. He was followed by police and the Los Angeles Lakers bench was warned about him coming out the other side. They even mentioned on the broadcast that they might have to take him to the locker room and lock the doors.

As a result of the altercation, LeBron was suspended one game, while Stewart was suspended two for “escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing.”

Stewart vs. Eubanks

Stewart was not showing any love to Drew Eubanks on Valentine’s Day 2024 when he punched him in the face during a pre-game altercation in the back tunnel. It was reported that the two got into a verbal exchange when arriving at the arena before Stewart swung on him.

The police were called to the scene, where they separated the two players. Stewart was then taken into custody and arrested for assault. Soon later, the misdemeanor charge was dropped.

After reviewing the footage, the NBA got involved and suspended Stewart for three games due to his actions.

Stewart vs. Bryant

Earlier this season, in a game against the Indiana Pacers, Stewart shoved Thomas Bryant to the ground. Immediately after, the referee sent Stewart to the bench. When Bryant got up, his teammates had to hold him back.

When discussing the incident during the broadcast, one of the announcers said, “there’s no basketball play being made there.” Right after, the referee assessed Stewart with a flagrant two and he was ejected from the game. With this flagrant two foul being Stewart’s sixth flagrant foul point of the 2024-25 season, he automatically received a one-game suspension.

Because of his suspension, Stewart missed his own bobblehead night during the Pistons’ following game. When heading back to the locker room, Stewart was seen pointing finger guns at the Pacers bench and flipping off the Indianapolis crowd. In addition to the suspension, Stewart was fined $50,000 for “making inappropriate and objectionable gestures following his ejection.”

Stewart vs. Griffin

In March 2021, Stewart elbowed Blake Griffin in the face while getting back on defense after getting tangled up. The play was immediately stopped as Stewart picked up a foul. After review, the contact was deemed a flagrant two, and Stewart was thrown out of the game. He also picked up a technical foul.

In November of the same year, Stewart faced off with Griffin again. The two got tangled up and both fell to the ground. Stewart quickly stood up and stood above Griffin, staring him down. Teammates and coaches came to separate them, as it could’ve led to a fight.

Stewart vs. Antetokounmpo

Just four months into his career, other players already had a problem with Stewart. After a game against the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo walked over to the Pistons bench area to confront Stewart. They got in each other’s faces before immediately getting separated.

It wasn’t clear what Giannis said to him, but he probably thought Stewart was being too physical. The incident wasn’t a lot, but it was the beginning of what would be many confrontations for Stewart.

Fast forward a few years to their 2024 matchup, where Stewart would pull Giannis’ jersey as he goes up for a shot in the paint. Stewart picked up a flagrant two and was ejected from the game. During the announcement, the referee said the pull was “unnecessary and excessive.”

These two have a history together, as the season before, Giannis was ejected for staring down Stewart after a dunk, which resulted in his second technical of the game.

Stewart vs. Beverley

In a 2023 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, Stewart went to set a screen on Patrick Beverley where he shoved him to the ground. Multiple players on the 76ers confronted Stewart, including Marcus Morris who shared a few words with him.

The referee mentioned that the “high degree of impact, a follow through, and a very high degree of windup” were all there and met and showed “there was a high potential for injury.” This gave Stewart a flagrant two causing him to be ejected from the game.

Stewart vs. The Entire League

In October 2023, Stewart was assessed with a technical foul after a shoving match with the Hornets. It started with Stewart and Brandon Miller and escalated when PJ Washington came over and got pushed.

Earlier this season, Stewart got into it with multiple players.

On Nov. 18, Stewart got into it with Dalen Terry of the Chicago Bulls after getting tangled up by the basket. The two were separated and assessed with double techs.

On Dec. 28, in a game against the Denver Nuggets, Stewart got in Russell Westbrook’s face after he talked trash to him. He was then called for a technical.

On Jan. 8, Stewart was called for a flagrant one in a game against the Nets. During the play, he elbowed Noah Clowney in the neck during a box-out attempt.

Just one day later, on Jan. 9, while the Pistons and Warriors were arguing, Stewart swatted Dennis Schroder’s hand before giving him a shove.

Later in the month, on Jan. 25, Stewart had to be held back from the Orlando Magic bench. The announcer even mentioned he “hopes it doesn’t become a boxing match.”

On Mar. 8, Stewart got into it with Steph Curry. Curry is known for his competitiveness and not for his confrontations. Only Stewart can cause Curry to get in someone’s face.

Are the Bad Boy Pistons Back?

With the team’s history of physicality in the 1980s and fights such as Malice at the Palace, Stewart seems to be trying to bring back the Bad Boy Pistons. During several of his ejections, he has been seen either pointing to or holding up the “Detroit” on the front of his jersey.

Stewart is only 23 years old, and there have been multiple instances where fans have called for him to be banned from the league. If this ever happens, Stewart may have a place in the octagon, along with anger management classes.