Detroit Pistons power forward Isaiah Stewart has reportedly been arrested after punching Phoenix Suns star Drew Eubanks before Wednesday night’s game.
The two players were said to have gone chest to chest before Stewart landed a punch to Eubank’s lip area.
According The AthleticInitially, the police were forced to intervene to separate the two players. Stewart then left the arena with members of the Pistons staff and 12News He later reported that Phoenix police said he was arrested after the incident. The NBA is also expected to investigate.
Eubanks revealed that the altercation with Stewart developed as he was entering the arena. The pair exchanged words before Eubanks was “beaten up,” according to EmpireOfTheSuns. ‘
Eubanks later confirmed that he would continue playing in the game, calling it a “soft hit.”
Pistons power forward Isaiah Stewart allegedly punched Phoenix Suns star Drew Eubanks
The two players were arguing chest to chest before Eubanks was hit in the lip area.
The reasons for the altercation are unclear, but the two players were aggressive toward each other (and verbally confrontational) during their previous meeting on November 5.
Stewart was involved in an on-court fight last season when he tried to retaliate after Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James hit him in the face with an elbow that left him bleeding.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Eubanks was seen participating in pregame warmups.
He has appeared in 48 games this season and averaged 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds while playing an average of 16 minutes per game.
Stewart has missed Detroit’s last few games due to an ankle injury and joined the team during its West Coast trip to prepare to return to the lineup after the All-Star break.
Before his time on the bench, Stewart had averaged 11 points and 6.8 rebounds in 35 games.
Last season, Stewart was involved in an on-court altercation after LeBron James elbowed him.