Jason Smith suspended
The NBA has suspended New Orleans Hornets forward Jason Smith two games for his Thursday night body check on Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin, according to sources with knowledge of the league's decision.
Smith was ejected for the foul late in the league-owned Hornets' victory over the Clippers in Chris Paul's
return to New Orleans. A suspension was widely expected Friday because
Smith made no attempt to make a play on the ball in knocking Griffin to
the floor on a transition drive to the hoop.
The play occured when
Smith body-slammed Griffin to the floor on a fast break. Paul followed
Smith into the concourse behind the basket and had words with him as
several players jawed at each other.
"It was a terrible foul,"
Paul said after the game. "I don't know what Jason was thinking. He
probably better be ready to sit out a game or two for that one. I'm just
glad Blake controlled it."
Smith was assessed a flagrant 2 foul, which carries an automatic ejection, but left the court to a loud ovation.
"I
think it looked a lot worse than what it was, but that's still not a
play that you ever want to do to another player like that," Smith said.
"I apologize to Blake Griffin. I didn't want to hurt him at all. I just
wanted to try and cut off his lane to the basket."
Link