kepdawg
11-14-2008, 04:47 PM
Friday, November 14, 2008
NBA fight fallout: Nash, Alston, Barnes suspended
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight.
Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday.
Barnes knocked back Alston with his shoulder late in the third quarter, and Alston charged him. Nash ran in and was pushed back by McGrady, who was shoved down by O'Neal.
"I felt maybe a one-game suspension but I can understand them making it 2," Alston told ESPN.com's J.A. Adande via text message. "Barnes should have got more of a fine for the cheap shot."
Nash was cited for "escalating the altercation." He and Barnes will miss Friday's game at Sacramento, and Barnes will sit Sunday against Detroit. Alston will miss games Friday against San Antonio and Saturday against New Orleans.
Nash and O'Neal, when reached Friday afternoon by ESPN.com, both declined comment.
J.A. Adande is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. Information from ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein and The Associated Press was used in this report.
NBA fight fallout: Nash, Alston, Barnes suspended
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight.
Alston and Barnes were suspended for two games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday.
Barnes knocked back Alston with his shoulder late in the third quarter, and Alston charged him. Nash ran in and was pushed back by McGrady, who was shoved down by O'Neal.
"I felt maybe a one-game suspension but I can understand them making it 2," Alston told ESPN.com's J.A. Adande via text message. "Barnes should have got more of a fine for the cheap shot."
Nash was cited for "escalating the altercation." He and Barnes will miss Friday's game at Sacramento, and Barnes will sit Sunday against Detroit. Alston will miss games Friday against San Antonio and Saturday against New Orleans.
Nash and O'Neal, when reached Friday afternoon by ESPN.com, both declined comment.
J.A. Adande is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. Information from ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein and The Associated Press was used in this report.