Metta World Peace suspended one game for Pistons altercation

The NBA on Tuesday gave Lakers forward Metta World Peace a one-game suspension for an altercation with Brandon Knight of the Detroit Pistons.

With 1:43 left in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 98-97 victory Sunday, World Peace and Knight got tangled up while fighting for a rebound.

World Peace was called for a flagrant foul after landing what looked to be a subtle uppercut to Knight’s jaw. After the game, Knight told reporters that World Peace definitely gave him a punch.

Though World Peace wasn’t ejected Sunday, he’ll be forced to sit Tuesday night as the Lakers visit the Brooklyn Nets.

The Lakers will miss him on defense, especially if Coach Mike D’Antoni intends to put Kobe Bryant on point guard Deron Williams. Hiding Steve Nash may be a problem with Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Williams to cover.

World Peace hasn’t missed a game all season, playing in all 48 while averaging 13.2 points on 40.6% shooting (including 34.9% from three-point range).

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.