PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks said Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart punched him Wednesday at the arena hours before the teams were due to play each other.
Eubanks told reporters before the game that the altercation happened as he was coming into the arena for the game. He said an argument started and they were chest-to-chest before Stewart threw the punch.
Security intervened and Eubanks said he was fine for the game.
“The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable,” the Suns said in a statement. “We unequivocally support Drew, and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA”
The Pistons had no comment.
Stewart was already listed as out for the game with a sprained left ankle. He missed the Pistons’ previous seven games with the injury.
Stewart was involved in an on-court altercation with the Lakers‘ LeBron James in 2021 that saw Stewart suspended for two games and James for one.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.