Isaiah Stewart Embraces Enforcer Role as Pistons Chase Top Seed
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Detroit Pistons center-forward Isaiah Stewart, 24, has become the face of the franchise’s defensive identity while the club holds the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Confrontation in Charlotte
The latest chapter in Stewart’s hard-nosed reputation unfolded on Feb. 9 at Spectrum Center. With ice still wrapped around his knees and ankles, he left the bench after a scuffle between teammate Jalen Duren and Charlotte Hornets big man Moussa Diabate. When Hornets forward Miles Bridges sprinted toward Duren at mid-court, Stewart rushed to intercept him. The incident resulted in a seven-game suspension; the sixth game of that ban will be served Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Statistical Backing
Since entering the league as the 16th overall pick in 2020, the 6-foot-8 Stewart has built a statistical case as one of the NBA’s premier interior defenders:
- Opponents shoot 42.7% at the rim on 150+ defended attempts, the best mark in the league.
- His 1.7 blocks per game rank eighth overall.
- He contests 9.3 shots per game, second among players 6-10 or shorter, trailing only Anthony Davis.
- Stewart is one of six players with at least 75 blocks and 30 made three-pointers this season, hitting 34% from beyond the arc.
Parallel to Ben Wallace
Stewart’s physical style draws constant comparisons to Hall of Famer Ben Wallace, who won four Defensive Player of the Year awards and helped Detroit win the 2004 championship. Wallace told ESPN he recognizes familiar traits in Stewart but advises the younger big man simply to “be yourself.” Their mutual respect was evident on Jan. 15, when the two exchanged a brief courtside acknowledgement during a game against the Phoenix Suns.
Early Career and Suspensions
Selected during the Pistons’ 2020 rebuild, Stewart initially played behind veterans Blake Griffin and Jerami Grant and earned minutes through rugged practice battles. His aggressive approach has also led to multiple league penalties:
- Nov. 2021: Two-game suspension for charging at LeBron James after being hit in the face.
- Feb. 2024: Three-game ban following an altercation with Drew Eubanks in a Phoenix parking lot; misdemeanor assault charges were later dropped.
- Jan. 2025: Two-game suspension for involvement in a Pistons–Timberwolves skirmish.
- Feb. 2026: Current seven-game suspension stemming from the Charlotte incident.
Pistons’ Resurgence
Stewart is Detroit’s longest-tenured player and a key figure in the club’s transformation from a team that once endured a record 28-game losing streak (2023-24) to this season’s conference leader. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff calls Stewart the “heart and soul” of the roster, while former head coach Dwane Casey credits the big man for “earning every minute” through relentless effort.
With Stewart anchoring the paint, Detroit owns the league’s No. 2 defense and no longer surprises opponents. The Pistons believe the identity forged by their enforcer is central to maintaining that standard as the postseason approaches.
Source: ESPN
