Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka has been suspended one game for his role in Tuesday’s scuffle with Chicago Bulls centre Robin Lopez.
Lopez was also given a one-game suspension, while Raptors assistant coach Jamaal Magloire was fined $15,000.
The two came to blows in the third quarter, culminating with the big men exchanging punches before teammates stepped in to separate them. Ibaka and Lopez were immediately ejected.
After the game, Ibaka attempted to justify his actions by claiming he was acting in self-defence.
“We were playing physical basketball and he got frustrated… he threw the punch and like a man I had to defend myself,” Ibaka said. “I’m not just going to be out there and watch him punch me. I had to defend myself.
“I just hope the league does a better job to watch because if it was me, we would not get to that point of punching. I know basketball is sometimes physical, we can talk trash, push each other, but punching like that, there’s no room because I want to play basketball, I don’t want to get suspended.”
Ibaka will be eligible to return to the lineup Saturday. The Congo native has impressed in the 14 games since his trade to the Raptors, posting averages of 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest.
With Ibaka unavailable, the Raptors have recalled rookie forward Pascal Siakam from Raptors 905. Siakam, who was recently named D-League Player of the Week, has appeared in 52 games (38 starts) for the Raptors this season, averaging 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds.
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