Bucks forward Larry Sanders suspended for pushing Nicolas Batum

The NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks forward Larry Sanders for pushing Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game.

Batum was in mid-air heading toward the basket when Sanders put his hand on Batum's back and pushed him. Batum dunked the ball, but his momentum caused him to fall hard to the floor. Batum was able to walk off the court on his own, but only after several moments on the floor in pain.

"I tried to stay on the rim because I knew I was going to fall and I was watching the floor like 'This is going to hurt,'" Batum said after the game.

"I landed on my ribs first, my stomach, so I couldn't take a breath for like 5-10 seconds. That's why I stayed laying on the floor, because I couldn't breathe for like 10 seconds."

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Sanders and the Bucks would go on to lose to Portland, 104-97. The foul called against Sanders was elevated to a flagrant-2 by the league. The upgrade means that the Bucks' forward will miss one game without pay.

Sanders will serve his suspension tonight against the Sacramento Kings. He will be one of several Milwaukee players out of the lineup.

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Milwaukee is 13-13 so far this season, and is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference.

- Christopher Woody