Lakers’ Mitch Kupchak unhappy with NBA’s suspension of Ronnie Price

The Lakers are down to three guards for Friday night’s game against San Antonio at Staples Center. They’re not thrilled about it.

Lakers General Mitch Kupchak responded unhappily to the NBA’s decision to suspend Ronnie Price for one game after he was called for a flagrant foul 2 in Wednesday’s 109-102 loss to New Orleans.

Price was ejected from the game after making contact with Austin Rivers while the Pelicans guard drove to the basket with 9:11 to play.

“We feel that the contact came from an attempt to block the shot and that there was no intent to hit Austin Rivers in the head, and therefore we are disappointed in the league’s decision,” Kupchak said in a statement Friday.

Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin will start, and rookie Jordan Clarkson will be the third guard.

The Lakers are short-handed in the backcourt because Steve Nash is out for the year and Wayne Ellington is on indefinite leave since the death of his father last weekend.

Bryant and Xavier Henry both played point guard in emergency situations last season and could do so again against the Spurs.