Pistons Star Arrested for Reportedly Punching Suns Player Before Game
Things can get heated in sports, but you hope it doesn’t result in an altercation. Unfortunately, before Wednesday’s (Feb. 14) Detroit Pistons game against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix, Pistons center Isaiah Stewart allegedly punched Suns’ Drew Eubanks in the face. That incident resulted in the Pistons star being arrested.
According to Phoenix police, Stewart was given a citation and released. Stewart was already going to sit out the game because of a sprained left ankle. Eubanks didn’t seem to let the incident get to him, as he had six points and eight rebounds in 18 minutes in the Suns’ 116-100 win. According to Eubanks, the altercation took place as he was entering into the arena. He said the two started arguing and they were chest-to-chest before Stewart punched him. Security had to get involved to stop the fight.
“The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable,” the Suns said in a statement. “We unequivocally support Drew, and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA.”
“We are in the process of gathering information about what happened and what provoked it, and responding to the NBA and local authorities,” the Pistons said in a statement.
Pistons coach Monty Williams said he felt the Suns released their statement prematurely. “The thing is to get all of the information. The NBA will do an investigation,” Williams said. “For me to come here and make a statement would be a bit irresponsible. I know the Suns said it was unprovoked; I think that is irresponsible for sure. You really don’t know. That did not need to happen. There is a time for the information to be gathered and then you can make a statement.” The Detroit Pistons have a bit of a break right now, as their next game is Thursday, Feb. 22, against the Pacers.