The NBA announced Friday that it has suspended Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker one game without pay for his preseason scuffle with Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert.
Booker had been accessed a technical foul for shoving Lakers forward Julius Randle midway through the third quarter. Hibbert, who then approached Booker to vocally express his displeasure, was met by a slap to the head, according to the LA Times.
Hibbert and Booker were both accessed a technical, and Booker’s second technical warranted an automatic immediate ejection.
Meanwhile, Hibbert remained in the game as the Lakers eventually prevailed over the Jazz 117-114 in overtime at the University of Hawaii.
Although the altercation occurred in a preseason contest, the NBA stated that Booker will be suspended for the first regular-season game, which will be the Jazz’s season opener at the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 28, per ESPN.
Booker, a sixth-year pro, averaged 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game in his first season for the Jazz last year.