Watch CBS News

Ibaka Won't Be Suspended For Hit On Griffin

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.