THE SIDELINES : NBA Suspends Blazers’ Bryant

Mark Bryant of the Portland Trail Blazers was fined $5,000 today and suspended for the first game of the regular NBA season for fighting during a preseason game against Sacramento.

The penalty was announced by Rod Thorn, the NBA’s vice president for operations.

Thorn ruled that Bryant had initiated the altercation with rookie Marty Conlon of the Kings by elbowing Conlon in the back of the head and throwing punches. The incident took place at Klamath Falls, Ore., last Saturday.

Bryant will sit out the Trail Blazers’ season opener, Friday, Nov. 2, at home against Houston.

“I guess the league is trying to cut down on the fighting situation,” Bryant said. “I think it’s kind of a strong fine but from what they said I really can’t do anything about it.”