Barkley, Drexler Get Suspensions
Charles Barkley was suspended for two games and Clyde Drexler for one, and both Rockets were fined by the NBA for touching referee Jack Nies during Houston’s game Thursday night.
Barkley also was fined $7,500 for poking Nies’ nose and drawing blood during an argument with 5:47 remaining in Houston’s 115-101 loss to San Antonio. Drexler received a $5,000 fine for bumping Nies. Both also received automatic $1,000 fines for being ejected.
“We are not going to allow NBA players to put our referees at physical risk,” said Rod Thorn, the league’s director of basketball operations.
Both players will sit out the game against Miami tonight, and Barkley also will sit out Monday’s game against Milwaukee.
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