Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Orlando Magic guard Jason Richardson and Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia have been suspended for Game 4 on Sunday for their roles in an altercation in the final minutes of Friday’s game at Philips Arena, the NBA announced Saturday.
Check the footage of the fight here
The incident occurred with 2:22 left in the game, after Pachulia and Magic center Dwight Howardwere entangled under the basket after Howard swung his elbow after he was fouled by Pachulia. Richardson then approached Pachulia, who appeared to headbutt Richardson under the basket. Richardson responded by shoving an open hand into Pachulia’s face.
Pachulia and Richardson were ejected from the game, and Howard was assessed a technical foul in what has become an intensely physical series the Hawks lead 2-1.
Although Richardson is a starter for the Magic, the suspensions might have a bigger impact on the Hawks, who will be weakened at center in their attempt to slow Howard. Pachulia is Atlanta’s top backup center and starter Jason Collins missed Saturday’s practice to treat a bruised tail bone he sustained Friday while drawing a charge call against Howard.
“Both teams will have an adjustment to make,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Saturday. “We lose a starter and our second-leading scorer and they lose their best backup big guy. What’s clear to everybody in the league is who starts it and who retaliates doesn’t matter. So there’s equal punishment.”
Collins expects to play Sunday night after another day of extensive treatment on his lower back.
WRITTEN BYÂ Michael Wallace covers the NBA for ESPN.com.
Follow Michael Wallace on Twitter:Â @http://twitter.com/WallaceHeatNBA
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