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Isaiah Stewart was arrested by police before Wednesday's NBA game.
CNN –
Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart was arrested and cited after an altercation with a Phoenix Suns player before the NBA game between the two teams on Wednesday.
According to a press release from the Phoenix Police Department, Stewart was arrested for assault, issued a citation and released after punching Drew Eubanks.
Stewart, 22, is in his fourth season with the Pistons and Eubanks, 27, is a forward with the Suns.
According to police, officers at the Footprint Center in Phoenix were called to a fight between the two players in the arena parking lot tunnel at approximately 4:45 p.m. local time (6:45 p.m. ET).
An argument between the two players escalated and resulted in Stewart striking Eubanks, causing him to sustain a minor injury, police said. The two men were separated by police.
“Detectives responded to investigate the incident and collect evidence,” Phoenix police said, adding the investigation is ongoing.
“The attack on Drew Eubanks was unprovoked and acts of violence like this are unacceptable,” a Suns spokesman told CNN.
“We fully support Drew and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the NBA.”
The Pistons added they were aware of the incident and “are in the process of gathering information about what happened and what triggered it, and responding to the NBA and local authorities.”
CNN has reached out to Stewart's representative for comment on his arrest.
Stewart was sidelined with a sprained left ankle on Wednesday, which the Suns won 116-110.
After the game, Pistons head coach Monty Williams said he and other team officials spoke with Stewart, who told them his side of the story. He also criticized the Suns for the statement they released following the incident.
“I know the Suns put out a statement and said it was unprovoked,” Williams told reporters.
“I think that’s irresponsible […] I think it’s time to gather information and then you can make a statement.”
Suns head coach Frank Vogel didn't comment on the actual altercation, but said, “There's no place for something like that in our game.”