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Zach Randolph of the Los Angeles Clippers has been suspended two games without pay for striking Louis Amundson of the Phoenix Suns in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Randolph was assessed a Technical Foul and was also ejected, occurred with 32.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Suns 140-100 victory over the Clippers at US Airways Center on Feb. 17.

Randolph will begin serving his suspension tonight when the Clippers host the Suns at Staples Center.

MouteKicksBoute wrote:

illastrate wrote: Are you kidding me? KG got 1 game for punching Bogut

However, we are lucky it's ONLY 2 games.

Uh, there is a huge difference between borderline slapping somebody in the face with an open fist, compared to Randolph, who literally decked him with a closed fist. Big difference. Look at the Bogut play, that was nothing compared to what that idiot, Z-Bo did. You guys have some great young talent, and Camby is still very good, but Z-Bo will just hold this team down.

thanumba2clippersfan wrote:I was thinking he would get between 2 and 5. And that Melo situation a few years ago was totally different.

Randolph earned a two-game suspension without pay from the league, which handed down the decision earlier Wednesday. He was not at Staples Center, nor would he allowed to have been on hand because of the suspension. Instead, Randolph was back home in Indiana, attending to a family emergency.

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy, while not condoning Randolph's action, gave some insight into his player's frame of mind. Apparently Randolph learned his father was critically ill shortly before the game in Phoenix.

"Obviously you don't want anybody doing that," Dunleavy said. "But he found out before the game, literally in the locker room before the game, about his dad.

"He was trying to figure out if he could play in last night's game, or tonight's game."

Randolph was able to get back to Indianapolis, which is where his father is hospitalized. He spoke on the telephone to Dunleavy and apologized after the suspension was handed down.

"He said to me, 'Coach, I'm sorry. I had a lot going through my head,' " Dunleavy said.

Suns interim coach Alvin Gentry, a former Clippers coach, called it an "unfortunate incident," but he was aware of Randolph's family crisis and expressed his concern. Gentry, who took over the Suns on Monday, is 2-0, both wins coming against the Clippers.

"I know Zach has other problems that he is dealing with now. . . . When you find out someone you love is suffering from a terminal [condition] . . . " Gentry said.