Report: Trevor Booker suspended one game for swing at Roy Hibbert
The NBA has reportedly suspended Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker one regular season game for his role in an altercation against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports!. Booker will serve the suspension in Utah’s season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 28, Wojnarowski writes.
The preseason game in paradise turned violent — well, almost — when Booker took a swing at Lakers center Roy Hibbert. With a little more than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter and the Lakers leading 62–56, Booker became entangled with Julius Randle as he attempted to set a pick. Booker shoved Randle after the whistle, prompting Hibbert to come across the court for a conversation. As the two players jawed, chest-to-chest, Booker swung his left arm toward Hibbert in a slap-like motion. Hibbert grinned knowingly at the swing, realizing it would likely lead to Booker’s departure.
The referees reviewed the skirmish and ejected Booker for the attempted punch. Hibbert was assessed a technical foul for his role in the exchange.
Utah eventually defeated L.A. 117–114 in overtime. Booker went scoreless and grabbed three rebounds in 19 minutes. Hibbert finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes.
The Jazz and Lakers were playing their second exhibition game in three days at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, as both teams kicked off their preseason schedules on the islands. Utah won the opener on Sunday 90–71.
Later in the game, Warriors forward Draymond Green gave his two cents on the “fight” ... he wasn’t impressed.
