The Lakers will face the Mavericks in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal without Ron Artest. He was suspended by the league for one game Thursday for his flagrant foul on Jose Barea with 24.4 seconds to play in the Lakers’ Game 2 loss Wednesday night.
The Lakers weren’t surprised by the penalty. They knew after the game that Artest would face some sort of discipline for the frustration foul that came with the game already decided. It’s yet another blow for the Lakers, who are stuck in a 2-0 hole in this best-of-seven series as it shifts to Dallas for Games 3 (Friday) and 4 (Sunday).
“Ron started 82 games for us in the regular season and all the playoff games, so it definitely will affect us,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.