Saturday, January 5, 2008

Knicks F Zach Randolph was suspended one game without pay by the NBA yesterday for throwing his headband at an official.

Randolph was called for a foul by Tony Brothers with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter of the Knicks' 107-97 loss to the Kings on Wednesday. Randolph took off his headband and threw it in the direction of Brothers, landing near his feet.

Though Brothers didn't appear to notice at first, the NBA said in releasing the penalty that the headband hit the official.

Randolph, who averages 17.7 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, missed last night's game at San Antonio.

"We just prepared just in case it happened. And you know it happened and so we're prepared for it," Knicks Coach Isiah Thomas said before the game. "I know he threw the headband and if the NBA wanted to suspend him that's within their right and we have no objections. We don't disagree, we move forward."

Pressed on whether he thought the punishment was harsh, Thomas paused, then said simply, "No."

-- STILL O UT: Pacers PG Jamaal Tinsley missed his fourth straight game when he sat out against the Hawks because of a sore left hamstring. Tinsley last played Dec. 28 against Detroit. He is averaging 13.8 points and is fifth in the NBA with 8.7 assists.

Earlier yesterday, the trial of Tinsley and teammate Marquis Daniels on charges stemming from a bar fight was delayed a third time, to March 17.

-- SURGERY: Clippers F Paul Davis had season-ending surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, the team said. He is expected to be out for six to eight months.

-- From News Services