Ronnie Price Suspended for Flagrant Foul on Austin Rivers

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistNovember 13, 2014

Nov 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Ronnie Price (9) commits a flagrant 2 foul against New Orleans Pelicans guard Austin Rivers (25) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Price was ejected from the game due to the foul. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

USA TODAY Sports

The NBA has suspended Los Angeles Lakers guard Ronnie Price for one game following his flagrant foul on Austin Rivers in a 109-102 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported the news Thursday:

Chris Mannix @ChrisMannixYS
Lakers Ronnie Price has been suspended one game for hitting New Orleans's Austin Rivers in the head, per the NBA.

In the fourth quarter, Price was guarding Rivers, who penetrated to the basket. As Rivers attempted a shot, Price hit him in the head with a forearm. Referees whistled Price for a flagrant foul and ejected him from the game.

You can view the offending play below.

Link to Media

Pro Basketball Talk's Kurt Helin felt the NBA made the right decision:

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
The Lakers' Ronnie Price gets a one-game suspension for his blow to the head of Austin Rivers. That's the right call.

Doc Rivers, Austin's father, however, wasn't sure if the foul warranted any sort of suspension, per Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times:

Ben Bolch @latbbolch
Doc Rivers on the suspended Ronnie Price's flagrant 2 vs. his son: "I was surprised it was a [flagrant] 2, but that’s the day we’re in."

Ben Bolch @latbbolch
Doc Rivers on Ronnie Price: "I didn’t like seeing my son go down, but it’s part of the game. I had zero concern with it, to be honest."

Through eight games this year, Price is averaging 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 21 minutes a night.

He's set to miss Friday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs.

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