Shocking footage has surfaced showing the moment NBA star Isaiah Stewart punched rival Drew Eubanks in an arena tunnel prior to a game.
The heated altercation occurred before a matchup between Stewart’s Detroit Pistons and Eubanks’ Phoenix Suns on February 14, 2024.
Stewart was arrested at the arena on assault charges shortly after the incident, issued a citation and released. Eubanks went on to play in the game later that day.
The surveillance video, obtained by Fox 10 in Phoenix, showed Stewart walking down the arena tunnel towards where Eubanks was waiting.
As the two players met, Eubanks appeared to step into Stewart’s path and bump his shoulder into the then-Piston star’s chest.
The pair briefly exchanged words face-to-face before Stewart suddenly threw a punch which landed flush on Eubanks’ chin.
Shocking footage has surfaced showing the moment NBA star Isaiah Stewart punched rival Drew Eubanks in an arena tunnel prior to a game in 2024
Stewart then shoved Eubanks backward and took a boxers stance, as if he was attempting to instigate a full-on fight, before arena staff intervened
In the footage, Stewart then shoved Eubanks backward and took a boxers stance, as if he was attempting to instigate a full-on fight, before arena staff intervened.
Eubanks later alleged that Stewart had ‘sucker-punched’ him during the confrontation, which left him with minor facial injuries.
The NBA immediately launched an investigation into the matter and handed Stewart a three-game suspension without pay for striking Eubanks.
The Suns released their own scathing statement shortly after the 2024 attack.
It read: ‘The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked, and acts of violence such as this are unacceptable.
‘We unequivocally support Drew, and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA.’
Both players have since moved on to new franchises following the 2024 altercation.
Stewart moved to the Memphis Grizzlies in a six-team, 11-player trade which ultimately ended a five-year stint in Detroit for the Washington Huskies alum.
Eubanks, who spent last season with the Sacramento Kings, signed a deal with the New York Knicks during the recent offseason.
Both players have since moved on to new franchises following the 2024 altercation
Back in January 2025, Stewart found himself in the headlines yet again after making a gun gesture towards a rival during yet another heated altercation.
During a game between the Pistons and Pacers, Stewart was assessed a flagrant-two foul after shoving Thomas Bryant to the ground as the Pistons grabbed a rebound.
And after being tossed out of the game, Stewart seemingly made a gun gesture towards Indiana players while their fans booed him as well.
Stewart indicated after the game that he had been provoked by trash talk from the Pacers prior to his ejection.
‘A lot of talk, a lot of words – I know that’s what opponents are going to do because that’s all they have, is words,’ he said, via the Detroit News.
‘I slipped up, fell for the trap, and I let my teammates down. … I have to be better at not letting those words allow me to affect the team. I know my squad could have used me out there tonight, and going forward, all they got for me is words. They don’t have anything else.’