NBA Suspends Pistons Mad Man Isaiah Stewart 3 Games After Punching Suns Player

Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart hit NBA headlines on Valentine's Day  after punching Phoenix Suns player Drew Eubanks before their game at Footprint Center. 

The NBA responded by suspending Stewart for three games, according to a league announcement on Thursday. A misdemeanor assault charge issued against Stewart has also been dismissed, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The player was arrested and issued a citation. Stewart will miss the three games without pay. 

Drew Eubanks suited up for the V-Day game despite the punch. Stewart was deemed ‘inactive.’

DETROIT - Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

The league's statement read: 

"The NBA announced today that Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended three games without pay for initiating a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns forward-center Drew Eubanks on Feb. 14 before a game between the Pistons and Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix."

Stewart's altercation occurred in Phoenix when he ran into Eubanks, walking through the back tunnels of Footprint Center hours ahead of their scheduled game.

The Pistons forward approached Eubanks, and they connected ‘chest-to-chest’ before Stewart struck Eubanks on the lip as they started to bicker. 

Tensions were high coming into the V-Day matchup. Stewart and Eubanks resumed their slight beef after previously clashing during a November 2023 contest.

‘Beef Stew’ will be out of action until Feb. 27, possibly returning for a matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Then again, playing for the 8-46 Pistons, Stewart may not be in a rush to return. Stewart will miss two road contests (Pacers, Knicks) and a home game against the Orlando Magic. The NBA announced its intentions to review footage provided by officials at Footprint Center. Police reportedly got involved with separating the two and Stewart immediately left the arena with members of the Pistons team.

Phoenix provided a statement following the incident, fully supporting Eubanks and calling the attack ‘unprovoked.’

The Suns' statement read: "The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable. We unequivocally support Drew, and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA."

Stewart has 35 game appearances for Detroit this season, averaging 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds. He'll forever be a legend for chasing LeBron James during a game against the Lakers — showing the most ‘backbone’ against The King compared to the rest of the league. 

The only thing is, the rest of the league is sane… Stew, on the other hand, is insane.

Follow along on X:@AlejandroAveela