Metta World Peace is suspended one game for an altercation with Pistons guard Brandon Knight in the Lakers’ 98-97 win over Detroit on Sunday, the NBA announced Tuesday.
Dwight Howard, meanwhile, will miss his third straight game with a sore right shoulder.
“I’m in no rush,” Howard said. “Don’t want to re-injure it. So, got to make sure it heals up.”
Howard aggravated a partially torn labrum in his shoulder in the Lakers’ 92-86 loss to the Phoenix Suns last week.
“I’m looking forward to our team coming out and having another good game,” Howard said when asked if he was looking forward to seeing Brooklyn and the Barclays Center, where he once wanted to play. “That’s the biggest thing. We need another win, we’re playing against a good team, and it’s gonna be a challenge.”
World Peace was charged with a flagrant foul on Sunday, and Knight said he didn’t believe that punishment was severe enough because he was hit with a fist.
“The play needs to be reviewed because he definitely threw a punch,” Knight told reporters after the game. “It felt like he threw a punch. That’s why I reacted the way I did.
“The play was over and he grabbed me around the neck. If someone grabs you around the neck, you’re not just going to let that happen. You do what you need to get that person off you.”
World Peace and Knight tussled under the hoop with 1:43 remaining in the second quarter while going for the rebound after Greg Monroe was called for a shooting foul on a shot attempt by Pau Gasol. Play was stopped and an official timeout was signaled so the referees could assess the situation.