Update: Police arrested Isaiah Stewart for assault after he allegedly punched Drew Eubanks hours before the game started, according to ESPN.
Valentine’s Day brawlin’!
The tip-off time for Wednesday night’s game between the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns was 9:00 p.m. ET. However, Pistons center Isaiah Stewart and Suns power forward Drew Eubanks were chirpin’ at each other way before that. (RELATED: Brits Wallop Each Other In 800-Year-Old Medieval Ball Game, And I Absolutely Want To Get In There And Mix It Up)
Eventually, things escalated to the point where Stewart punched Eubanks “in the back tunnels” of Footprint Center, sources informed The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The two NBA stars were reportedly “going chest-to-chest before a swing to Eubanks’ face connected.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 02: Drew Eubanks #14 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day on October 02, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 28: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Chicago Bulls at Little Caesars Arena on October 28, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 01: Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers tries to drive around Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on November 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
To make this entire situation even spicier, police are involved and, on top of that, the NBA will be reviewing the incident via video that they’re expected to receive, Charania added.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 09: Isaiah Stewart (L) and Alec Burks of the Detroit Pistons attend a 2023 NBA Summer League game between the Pistons and the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 14: Isaiah Stewart (L) attends the Shawn Carter Foundation 20th Anniversary Black Tie Gala at Pier 60 on July 14, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 05: Drew Eubanks #14 of the Phoenix Suns plays against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 05, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 22: Drew Eubanks #14 of the Phoenix Suns controls a loose ball in front of DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Footprint Center on January 22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Police ultimately arrested Stewart for assault, ESPN reported late Wednesday night. Authorities reportedly gave the NBA player a citation and subsequently released him.
Both Stewart and Eubanks were going chest-to-chest before a swing to Eubanks’ face connected on Wednesday, sources said. Both were separated and there is police presence involved with the situation in Phoenix tonight. https://t.co/Kif6SiVp7q
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 15, 2024
With the way Isaiah Stewart did this …
Isaiah Stewart when he saw Drew Eubanks minding his business in the tunnel https://t.co/kTP34rIsY7 pic.twitter.com/UmpTod3lT4
— ClutchMcGee (@RealClutchMcGee) February 15, 2024
I can totally picture the tunnel scene going down like this …
Isaiah Stewart to Drew Eubanks in the tunnel pic.twitter.com/LM8hWwfqfC
— Wh88f (@KWreeto) February 15, 2024
I know one thing: the NBA needs to share the video when they get it. Knowing Isaiah Stewart the way we do, and the fact that we have this quote floating around…
Drew Eubanks on Isaiah Stewart:
“Soft punch.”
(via @KellanOlson) pic.twitter.com/TiyUJbZ41R
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 15, 2024
I’m willing to bet that it’s hilariously spectacular — a must watch — we NEED to see this video, NBA.