Pacers’ Thomas Punished

Indiana Pacer Coach Isiah Thomas was suspended for two games Saturday by the NBA for his role in a fight between two players during a loss to Toronto.

Thomas, along with the Pacer player Al Harrington and Toronto’s Morris Peterson, were ejected after Friday night’s game, two days after the Pacers’ Ron Artest received a four-game suspension for his run-in with Miami Coach Pat Riley and for making an obscene gesture.

“Coaches are allowed on the floor as peacemakers during an altercation, not as combatants,” said Stu Jackson, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations. “Coach Thomas did not act as peacemaker during this incident.”

Thomas, Indiana’s third-year coach, missed Saturday’s game against Boston and will miss Tuesday’s game against the Lakers. Assistant Brendan Malone is the interim coach.

Pacer President Donnie Walsh said Thomas was “stunned” when he learned of the suspension before the game.

“I don’t know why he was suspended for two games, I really don’t,” Walsh said.

Harrington approached Peterson in an aggressive manner after Peterson tripped him up on a fast break with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter.

Peterson appeared to throw a punch, and a shoving match ensued. Thomas ran onto the court and tried to get at Peterson, but Toronto Coach Lenny Wilkens held Thomas back.

Walsh said Peterson cursed at Thomas, causing him to take a step toward him.

No action was taken against Harrington or Peterson.

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Chicago Bull forward Marcus Fizer was put on the injured list after spraining his right knee in Friday’s 107-94 loss to Portland.

Fizer sprained the knee on a breakaway layup against the Trail Blazers. He walked off the court under his own power after scoring a team-high 17 points.

“I went to plant with the right to go left; but when I planted, it jolted out to the right and I felt it pop,” Fizer said after the game.

Fizer was replaced on the roster by center Dalibor Bagaric.