CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 30: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on December 30, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images,)
An NBA player has been arrested.
Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks said he was “sucker-punched” by Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart prior to Wednesday’s game at Footprint Center.
Eubanks was arriving at the arena in the parking lot both teams used to enter the arena when a verbal altercation broke out. That eventually led to physical violence.
“Basically we were walking in, words were said and we got face-to-face, and then (Stewart) just sucker-punched me,” Eubanks said in the locker room pregame.
Phoenix Police said Stewart was arrested for assault and later released.
Police are keeping the investigation open.
Stewart is best known as the man who got hit in the face by LeBron a few years ago and charged at him several times before he was escorted off the floor. He was suspended for two games.
“You can see what he does, how he acts on the court,” Eubanks said.
Eubanks said there was nothing personal between him and Stewart that would lead him to believe something like that was coming. He also called the assault a “soft punch.”
Back in December, Stewart was ejected for shoving guard Patrick Beverley to the ground.
Stewart did not play in the game as he was already listed as out for the game because of a sprained left ankle.
Eubanks scored six points and added six rebounds in the win.