Pistons’ Stewart’s Potential to Play Despite Recent Arrest: Pregame Punch Incident
Detroit Pistons power forward Isaiah Stewart could potentially be on the court for his team’s game against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, despite his recent arrest and altercation with Suns power forward Drew Eubanks. On February 14 in Phoenix, Stewart allegedly punched Eubanks, leading to his arrest and the issuance of a citation. However, a resolution to his legal case is not expected before the game on Thursday, and sources from the league indicate that no suspension will be imposed by that time.
Although Eubanks played in the game that night, Stewart was already out due to an ankle injury and wasn’t set to return until after the All-Star break. Nevertheless, sources familiar with the matter suggest that Stewart will soon be healthy enough to play. The Phoenix Municipal Court has scheduled a court date for February 23 to address the misdemeanor assault charge against Stewart, but he will not be required to physically appear in court and will instead be represented by his lawyer.
Stewart was not placed in a Phoenix jail following the incident and returned to Detroit on the team plane that same night. League and team insiders speculate that Stewart will likely be available for the game against Indiana, as the NBA is expected to withhold any punishment until the legal process has been completed.
If found guilty of misdemeanor assault, Stewart may only face a fine of a few hundred dollars and will likely avoid jail time, according to Phoenix criminal defense attorney Josh Kolsrud. However, it is important to note that Stewart has yet to publicly address the situation. His coach, Monty Williams, commented on the incident, stating that he would like to gather all the information before making any further statements. Williams also expressed his belief that calling the altercation “unprovoked” was irresponsible and urged for more information to be gathered before drawing conclusions.
The reasons behind the altercation between Stewart and Eubanks remain unclear. The two players last faced off on November 5 in Detroit, and although the game was intense at times, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It is uncertain whether the league will take any action against Stewart. This incident is unusual, as it occurred off the court. The league has refrained from commenting and may wait for the court case to be resolved before making a decision.
In conclusion, despite his recent arrest and altercation, there is a possibility that Isaiah Stewart will be able to play in the game against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. The legal process is expected to continue, and Stewart’s potential punishment from the league remains uncertain. As the situation unfolds, more information will come to light, shedding further light on this unusual case.