Ibaka Won’t Be Suspended For Hit On Griffin

Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers reach for the ball at Staples Center on March 3, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Decorated Soldier Reunited With Family During Rose Parade

[worldnow id=8121197 width=420 height=315 type=video] PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — A decorated soldier originally from Michigan was reunited with his family Tuesday in a heartwarming moment captured by cameras and witnessed by millions during the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade. Army Sgt. First Class Eric Pazz was riding on the “Canines of Courage” float sponsored by Natural Balance Pet Foods Tuesday when he was reunited with his wife Miriam and four-year-old son, Eric Jr. Both were watching the parade from the grandstands after winning seats. They were under the impression that 32-year-old Pazz, who was deployed, was still in Afghanistan. Video of the parade shows the heartwarming scene as Eric Jr. runs toward his father and the announcer says, “he sees Daddy. he had no idea.” After the reunion, his family joined him on the float for the remainder of the parade.

NEW YORK (CBSLA.com/AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka will not serve suspension time after hitting the Clippers’ Blake Griffin in the groin during Sunday’s game at Staples Center.

Instead, Ibaka has been fined $25,000 by the NBA, and his Flagrant Foul 1 has been upgraded to a Flagrant Foul 2, which means he should have been ejected from the game.

The incident occurred in the fourth quarter of the Thunder’s 108-104 win over the Clippers. The Clippers had mounted an intense comeback in the final minutes, and Ibaka and Griffin were competing for position in the paint during the play.

Griffin had stated that he was expecting Ibaka to be suspended by the league. After Sunday’s game, Griffin spoke about the play.

“It’s basketball, man,” Griffin said. “Sometimes you take things a little too far, but I wasn’t provoking (Ibaka) or anything like that.”

The Clippers and Thunder do not meet again in the regular season, but there is a chance the two will play each other in the playoffs.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)