WARNING: This article contains quoted profanities.
There was some tension between Isaiah Stewart and Russell Westbrook during the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. The leaked audio of the footage of their altercation was recently uploaded on YouTube.
In the middle of the third quarter, Westbrook attempted to drive to the basket but was charged with an offensive foul for pushing Ausar Thompson in the attempt. Seemingly unaware of the whistle, the point guard still attempted to rush for a dunk on an imposing Stewart.
Westbrook, who used his elbow to separate from Stewart, then realized he was charged with a foul and started questioning the call. In the next play involving the nine-time All-Star, he was able to draw a charging foul on Cade Cunningham.
In another play, Westbrook sets a screen for Nikola Jokic, who was being guarded by Stewart, to break away from his defender Malik Beasley. Beasley moved to guard the Serbian center, who made a give-and-go play with Julian Strawther. Stewart blocked Jokic’s lay-up, but he was called for goaltending.
After the whistle, Westbrook called Isaiah Stewart a “dumba**,” which the Pistons center did not appreciate. Stewart to talk trash back at his offender.
“I’ll beat the f**k out of you,” Stewart told Westbrook. “B***h a** n***a,” he continued.
The referee overheard Isaiah Stewart and charged him with a technical foul.
Westbrook and the Nuggets defeated Stewart and the Pistons, 134-121. The point guard finished with eight points, nine rebounds, and eight assists off the bench.
Last season, Isaiah Stewart had also been suspended for three games after punching Phoenix Suns center Drew Eubanks hours before their Feb. 14 game. According to a filing obtained by ESPN, he was arrested by Phoenix police, issued a citation, and released, with his misdemeanor assault charge dismissed by the Phoenix Municipal Court.
Isaiah Stewart also encountered Russell Westbrook with the Lakers
Saturday’s incident between Isaiah Stewart and Russell Westbrook was not the first volatile interaction between the two. Back in the 2021-22 season when he was still with the LA Lakers, Westbrook got himself involved in an incident between Stewart and LeBron James.
LeBron James apologized to Isaiah Stewart after unintentionally elbowing his eye. However, the Pistons center would have none of it; he was determined to retaliate against the Lakers forward and had to be restrained by his teammates. Westbrook would come from the back, holding his fists up, ready to defend James against the Pistons big man.
For that incident, Stewart was ejected from the game and suspended for two more.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
