DALLAS — Lakers forward Ron Artest was suspended for Game 3 of the second-round series against the Mavericks tonight for hitting Dallas guard J.J. Barea in the face with a forearm during Wednesday night’s game.
“No reaction,” Artest said Thursday. “I’m just ready to move forward and play basketball.”
Barea was dribbling around Lakers forward Lamar Odom with 24 seconds left in a game that had already been decided when Artest moved in and swung a forearm at the guard’s head. Artest, the Lakers’ starting small forward, was ejected immediately.
The league said Artest also would be assessed a flagrant foul. An accumulation of flagrant foul points could lead to another suspension.
“Not surprised,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
Odom or Matt Barnes likely will start in place of Artest for the Lakers, who are down 2-0 in the series.
Artest will lose more than $57,000 because he was suspended without pay.
Shaq expected to return
WALTHAM, Mass. — Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal is expected to return from a right calf injury and play in Saturday’s Game 3 against Miami.
Footnotes.
Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (ankle) is day to day.
• Stephen Curry of the Warriors has won the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the NBA player who best exemplifies sportsmanship.
The Associated Press
