As the Detroit Pistons geared up for their Thursday night matchup on the road against the Indiana Pacers, the NBA made its call on Isaiah Stewart.
According to a press release, Stewart is set to serve a three-game suspension due to starting a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns veteran Drew Eubanks last week ahead of the Pistons’ matchup on the road in Phoenix.
“The NBA announced today that Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended three games without pay for initiating a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns forward-center Drew Eubanks on Feb. 14 before a game between the Pistons and Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Stewart punched and pushed Eubanks during the altercation.
Stewart will begin serving his suspension with the next NBA regular-season game that he is eligible and physically able to play, which is expected to be tonight’s game between the Pistons and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.”
Stewart was already questionable to suit up for the Pistons in Thursday’s game against the Pacers. Lately, the veteran frontcourt standout has been dealing with an ankle injury, which has sidelined him for several weeks.
The last time Stewart competed with the Pistons was back on January 28, when Detroit collected a 16-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Stewart checked in for 25 minutes, scoring 11 points in the victory.
His stretch of absence started on January 31. Since then, Stewart has missed nine straight games, including Thursday’s matchup in Indiana. During that stretch, the Pistons have gone 2-7.
Prior to Stewart’s altercation with Eubanks, the veteran was targeting a return against the Pacers on Thursday. He practiced on Wednesday and was questionable for action on the injury report. Since Stewart was on pace to play, his absence on Thursday counted towards his three-game punishment.
The earliest Stewart could return to the floor is for Detroit’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, February 27. In the meantime, Stewart will miss Saturday’s matchup at home against the Orlando Magic, along with Monday night’s matchup on the road against the New York Knicks.
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