Lakers' Artest banned one game for striking opponent

– Thu May 5, 5:13 pm ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest has been suspended for Friday's playoff game against Dallas for striking Mavericks guard Jose Juan Barea in the face, the NBA said Thursday.



The one-game suspension was the result of Artest swinging his arm and hitting Barea late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game, the league in a statement.

Artest was ejected after picking up his second technical foul in a game that Dallas won 93-81 to grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue)


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tags: NBA, Basketball