Windy: Embarrassed to play the Celtics! 😤 + Taking Stock of Stewart-Eubanks Scuffle | NBA Today

Windy: Embarrassed to play the Celtics! 😤 + Taking Stock of Stewart-Eubanks Scuffle | NBA Today.

PHOENIX (AP) — Hours before the teams’ game, Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart punched Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks at the arena, leading to his arrest on Wednesday for assault.

Stewart, according to Phoenix police, was given a citation and let go. Stewart’s left ankle sprain made him ineligible for the game already. In 18 minutes, Eubanks contributed six points and eight rebounds to the Suns’ 116-100 victory.

Prior to the match, Eubanks stated that the fight broke out as he was entering the arena. He claimed that before Stewart punched him, they got into a fight and got close to each other. Police said Eubanks suffered a minor injury, but he maintained he was good for the game once security intervened.

The Suns released a statement saying, “The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable.” “We firmly believe in Drew and will keep collaborating with the NBA and local law enforcement.”

The incident was known to the Pistons, according to them.

The team stated, “We are in the process of responding to the NBA and local authorities, as well as gathering information about what happened and what provoked it.”

After being fired by Phoenix at the end of the previous season, Pistons coach Monty Williams expressed his opinion that the Suns ought not to have commented.

Obtaining all the facts is the important thing. The NBA will look into it, according to Williams. “Coming here to make a statement would be a little careless on my part. Although the Suns claim it was an unprovoked incident, I believe that to be unwise. Actually, you have no idea.

“That was not necessary to occur. There’s a window of opportunity for information gathering before you may release a statement.

Following a confrontation with LeBron James of the Lakers on the court in 2021, Stewart received two game suspensions while James only received one.

Prioritize keeping the game. The Suns’ star player Kevin Durant observed, “There’s a lot of noise.” “What transpired prior to the game is regrettable; it was meant to be a brotherhood.” But I also get it—guys are into things. In this league, we strive to stay away from it; ideally, we can move past that. Everyone here is in favor of Drew.