Wizards’ Oubre suspended a game
Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. was suspended for Game 4 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Celtics after charging and knocking over Kelly Olynyk in Game 3.
The NBA on Saturday announced Oubre’s suspension without pay for “charging and making forceful and unwarranted contact.” Game 4 is Sunday in Washington.
Oubre called the suspension a consequence of his actions.
“I’m not surprised,” Oubre said Saturday. “The league has to do what they have to do. They have to handle that situation.”
Oubre’s outburst in the second quarter on Thursday resulted in a flagrant-2 foul and an ejection. Olynyk knocked him to the ground on an illegal screen, and Oubre leaped to his feet, sprinted at him and bowled him over.
Oubre said he apologized to referee Monty McCutchen, who was talking to Olynyk at the time of the incident. Oubre said he did not reach out to apologize to Olynyk.
Washington coach Scott Brooks said he respects the league’s decision and figured a suspension could be coming. Now he must decide how to approach Game 4 as his team trails Boston 2-1 in the series.
“We’ve had a nextman-up mentality all year,” Brooks said. “We’ve got options, we can move some people around. But not having him, it’s not ideal, but it is what it is. You just go forward and play the game. You can’t worry about who’s not playing.”
Brooks could find more minutes for forward Bojan Bogdanovic after he scored 19 points in the Wizards’ 116-89 victory in Game 3. Or he could plug another player, such as Jason Smith, into the rotation.
“I’m looking at all options — maybe give some extra minutes, maybe add another guy, maybe change some spots on the floor with different players playing different positions,” Brooks said. “Those are all on the table right now.”
Lowry doubtful: All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry says he’s doubtful
to play for the Raptors on Sunday in Game 4 of an East semifinal series against the Cavaliers.
Lowry has a sprained left ankle. He attempted to warm up before Game 3 on Friday before the determination was made that he could not play.
Lowry said trying to play likely made the ankle worse.
The Raptors trail the series 3-0. No team in NBA history has overcome such a deficit.
“Hopefully some things change, but right now I don’t think I’ll be able to play,” Lowry said.
Lowry was getting more treatment Saturday, adding that he’s not “giving up hope” of playing in Game 4.