The NBA announced a three-game suspension for Isaiah Stewart following a pre-game altercation last week.
Per the league’s statement , the Detroit Pistons big man is suspended without pay for “initiating a physical altercation” with Phoenix Suns player Drew Eubanks on Feb. 14. The league said Stewart “punched and pushed” Eubanks.
Stewart was arrested and issued a citation following the altercation. According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III , the 22-year-old flew home with the team that night after getting released.
Phoenix Municipal Court set Stewart’s court date for Friday, but Stewart can send a lawyer to represent him. A criminal defense attorney told Edwards that Stewart would likely pay a fine without serving any jail time if convicted of misdemeanor assault.
NBA insider Shams Charania said Wednesday that the league saw security video of the incident between Stewart and Eubanks. He reported that Stewart punched Eubanks in the face, but the Suns power forward “didn’t flinch” and “stood there stone-cold.”
Stewart has averaged 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during his fourth season. The former first-round pick has started 34 of 35 games played for the 8-46 Pistons.
Stewart will begin serving his three-game suspension when the Pistons face the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. He’s eligible for reinstatement when Detroit plays the Chicago Bulls next Tuesday.