Toronto Raptors power forward Serge Ibaka has been suspended for one game without pay, the NBA announced Tuesday. Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez has also been suspended one game.
The suspension comes a day after Ibaka and Lopez exchanged punches in a wild skirmish at the Air Canada Centre. Both players received technical fouls for fighting and were ejected from Monday’s game, and the league had to move quickly on discipline with the Bulls playing again Wednesday. There was some hope that Lopez starting the fracas would lead to a lesser suspension for Ibaka, but it’s worth noting that Ibaka had to be restrained by several teammates and one P.J. Tucker, otherwise the incident likely could have grown worse. Considering the lenient punishments, it’s doubtful either side will be all that upset with the outcome.
Ibaka’s claim after the game was that he acted in self defense, and that he’s not going to let someone like Lopez throw a punch at him and just walk away. Quietly, the organization was bracing for a three-game ban but hoping for two, so one is a dreame scenario.
For the Raptors, losing Ibaka, perhaps their second-best player since the All-Star break, hurts. They visit Miami on Thursday, a team that just wiped the floor with them a little over a week ago. Pascal Siakam has been recalled from the D-League for additional depth, and there will be more minutes for Patrick Patterson at the four and for Jakob Poeltl or Lucas Nogueira in the traditional backup center role, one Ibaka has primarily been occupying, especially late in games. The Raptors could also play small for a good chunk of Thursday’s game, as the Heat often use James Johnson or another wing at power forward. This shifts some onus back to Jonas Valanciunas, too, as the Lithuanian will probably see an uptick in minutes opposite Hassan Whiteside, perhaps even seeing the floor in the fourth quarter (ha).
Ibaka has been a revelation since coming over from Orlando, with him and Tucker changing the identity of the Raptors at the defensive end. In 14 games, Ibaka is averaging 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while knocking down 39.7 percent of his threes, and he’s fourth on the team in fourth-quarter minutes despite a few blowouts during this stretch. He’s been a big factor in the Raptors going 9-5 without Kyle Lowry, and replacing his production and force of play will be challenging. Still, this is about a best-case outcome for the Raptors.
Jamaal Magloire was fined $15,000 for his part in the fracas.
