Pistons center Isaiah Stewart has again made headlines with his physicality after a hard foul on Giannis Antetokounmpo was deemed unnecessary.
Late in the third quarter of Detroit’s overtime loss to Milwaukee Wednesday, Antetokounmpo used a post move to get past Stewart on the block. As Antetokounmpo rose for a dunk, Stewart pulled the Bucks superstar down by his jersey, causing a hard fall and gasps throughout Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.
The foul was ruled a Flagrant Penalty 2, resulting in an automatic ejection for Stewart. The nature of the dangerous play now spins the conversation forward to any potential further punishment Stewart could face for his action.
Here is what we know about Stewart’s status moving forward.
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Will the NBA suspend Isaiah Stewart for foul on Giannis Antetokounmpo?
There has been no ruling on a suspension for Stewart’s foul on Antetokounmpo. Further discipline is up to the discretion of the league, which will review the nature of Stewart’s infraction.
Here is a look at Stewart’s foul on Antetokounmpo:
Isaiah Stewart was ejected after this foul on Giannis #FearTheDeer | #Bucks pic.twitter.com/wue7mHstO0
— FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (@FanDuelSN_WI) November 14, 2024
The NBA has acknowledged that it takes a player’s history of unsportsmanlike acts into account when determining punishment.
Isaiah Stewart suspension history
In his first five seasons, Stewart has not been suspended for a flagrant foul. He has been suspended twice for roles in altercations.
Last season, Stewart was suspended three games for initiating a pre-game altercation with Drew Eubanks. During his second NBA season, Stewart was suspended two games for his role in an on-court altercation after he was bloodied by an elbow from LeBron James.
James, who was ejected for his foul, elbowed Stewart near the eye. As Stewart bled profusely, Pistons teammates and staffers unsuccessfully restrained him as he attempted to charge at James multiple times.
The NBA suspended Stewart for “escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James in an unsportsmanlike manner,” per an official release from the league.
Here is a look back at the incident from 2021:
LeBron James was ejected with a flagrant 2 foul on Isaiah Stewart.
(🎥 via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/PJRiGCmAQw
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 22, 2021
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What is a Flagrant 2 foul?
A Flagrant 2 foul is an “unnecessary” foul that is also “excessive.” Like a Flagrant 1 foul, a Flagrant 2 is open to interpretation.
Here’s the official wording of what is a Flagrant 2 foul from the NBA rulebook:
Rule 12B, Section IV-b. If contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary and excessive, a flagrant foul—penalty (2) will be assessed. A personal foul is charged to the offender and a team foul is charged to the team.
All Flagrant fouls are reviewed. In this case, the player who commits the foul is ejected. The fouled team gets two free throws and retains possession of the ball.