Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended by the NBA following a heated skirmish in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Stewart, who is currently being scouted by the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) to potentially represent Jamaica at the FIBA Americas Pre-Qualifiers in August, was handed the stiffest penalty—a two-game suspension.

The altercation unfolded with 8:36 remaining in the first half, with the Pistons leading 39-30. Tensions began to rise when Stewart was called for a technical foul after bumping Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo hard following a whistle. As the game continued, Pistons forward Ron Holland II was called for a foul near the baseline, which led to an exchange of words with Minnesota’s Naz Reid.

DiVincenzo, attempting to diffuse the situation, stepped in between Holland and Reid, grabbing Holland’s jersey in the process. What followed was a chaotic scene involving all 10 players on the court, along with coaches and trainers, escalating into a full-blown scrum. The melee spilled over into the baseline seating area, causing players and staff to tumble into the spectators.

In response to the skirmish, NBA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars handed down suspensions to Stewart and the four other players involved. Stewart’s two-game ban was the harshest penalty of the group, with teammates Marcus Sasser and Ron Holland II receiving one-game suspensions, while Timberwolves’ Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid were also hit with a one-game ban each. Dumars stated that Stewart’s longer suspension was due to his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts,” a reference to past on-court incidents that have drawn the league’s attention.

As a result, Stewart will miss two crucial upcoming games: tonight’s contest against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder and Friday’s away game against the Toronto Raptors.

The 23-year-old, a key figure in the Eastern Conference 5th seeded Pistons line-up, is one of several NBA players of Jamaican heritage who are being targeted by JaBA to bolster the national team’s roster ahead of FIBA Americas Pre-Qualifiers which serves as a stepping stone for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Other players of Jamaican descent being scouted include Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards, LA Clippers guard Norman Powell, Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie, and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Josh Minott.