Charges related to Isaiah Stewart and Drew Eubanks of the Phoenix Suns’ altercation during the pregame have been dropped. However, the NBA has suspended the center for the Detroit Pistons.
When Stewart, 22, and Eubanks, 27, got into a fight last week in the parking lot of the Suns’ Footprint Arena in downtown Phoenix, Stewart was initially charged with assault.
The criminal charges against Stewart have been dropped, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN on Thursday. However, the NBA has announced that the center will miss three games due to a suspension.
In a news release on Thursday, the NBA stated that Stewart will serve his suspension without pay starting with the next NBA regular-season game that he is eligible and physically able to play, which is anticipated to be tonight’s game between the Pistons and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Stewart hasn’t played since January 28 due to an ankle ailment that he is still healing from. When he got into the altercation with Eubanks last week, it was not anticipated that he would play against Phoenix.
The Athletic reports that the Pistons star was given the all-clear to play again this week. He will now have to sit out the next three games, though, until his suspension is up.
In the meantime, the Suns attacked Stewart in a statement following the game, calling the punch “unprovoked” and “unacceptable” and characterizing it as an “attack.” “We firmly believe in Drew, and we’ll keep collaborating with the NBA and local law enforcement,” they declared.
Additionally, head coach Frank Vogel stated to the media that “anything like that has no place in our game.”
Get the best of PEOPLE, from celebrity news to gripping human interest stories, sent straight to your inbox by subscribing to their free daily newsletter.
The Suns’ public statements about the incident, though, infuriated Pistons coach Monty Williams before an NBA inquiry could ascertain exactly transpired between Stewart and Eubanks prior to the game. According to ESPN, Williams stated, “It would be a little irresponsible for me to come here and make a statement.” I’m aware that the Suns said it was ‘unprovoked.’ That certainly seems reckless to me. You are genuinely ignorant.
One of the most influential players in the NBA, Kevin Durant, who plays with Eubanks, stated that while he and his teammates support Eubanks, “s— happens.”
After the Suns defeated the Pistons 116-100 last week, Durant told reporters, citing ESPN, “It’s unfortunate what happened before the game.” Although there should be a sense of camaraderie, guys get into things, and bad things happen. In our league, we strive not to have that happen, but s— happens, and hopefully we can move past it. We all stand by Drew and are at his side. He’ll get over it and go on.
