Metta World Peace has been suspended for one game after a tussle with Pistons guard Brandon Knight.
The suspension was announced by the NBA on Tuesday, the latest punishment in a career filled with disciplinary actions for the player formerly known as Ron Artest.
The incident happened in a game Sunday. Knight was boxing out Metta World Peace, and as the two jostled for position to get the rebound, World Peace pulled Knight by the neck and appeared to throw a jab to the chest of the Pistons player, Sports Illustrated noted.
The Lakers’ official website : carried the NBA’s press release on the suspension:
“Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers has been suspended one game without pay for grabbing Brandon Knight of the Detroit Pistons around the neck and striking him in the jaw, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.”
“The incident occurred with 1:43 remaining in the 2nd period, of the Lakers’ 98-97 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, Feb. 3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.”
On top of his suspension, Metta World Peace was hit with a flagrant 1 foul after a long video review of the incident.
With Metta World Peace suspended, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a pinch. The team has struggled and finds itself on the outside of the playoff race looking in. Now the Lakers must face a strong Nets squad without two of the team’s top three players (Dwight Howard is also out with persistent shoulder pain).
