Robin Lopez Suspended One Game for Bumping into Ref


Robin Lopez’s anger and frustration got the best of him on Tuesday night, as he bumped into a referee. It’ll cost him a game. From the AZ Republic: “The suspension will keep Lopez out of the Suns’ Friday night game at Portland. Lopez’s temper was stoked when he missed a second-quarter post-up attempt against Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani and felt he was fouled. Lopez raced back on defense and needlessly reached in to foul big man Linas Kleiza about 40 feet from the basket before turning his ire and glare toward Mott. A timeout whistle stopped play. As Lopez walked toward the Suns bench, he brushed Mott with his left shoulder as Mott backed away. Lopez did not appear to make an attempt to avoid Mott, who then ejected Lopez. The three game officials conferred briefly and the decision stood. The NBA rule book states, ‘Any player or coach guilty of intentional physical contact with an official shall automatically be suspended without pay for one game. A fine and/or longer period of suspension will result if circumstances so dictate.’ The ruling coincides with the timing of Lopez’s contract extension deadline passing without a new agreement Wednesday night. Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said he held cursory talks with Lopez’s agent, Arn Tellem, but that they amicably agreed there was not a basis for serious negotiation.”