Hornets' Howard suspended after technical foul in 30-30 game

Charlotte Hornets center

Dwight Howard was been suspended for Thursday's game against Memphis after picking up his 16th technical foul this season.

The NBA announced the penalty Thursday, noting that league rules require an automatic one-game suspension without pay for a player or coach who receives 16 technical fouls during a regular season. After hitting that threshold, a player or coach will be suspended without pay automatically for another game for every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season.

Howard picked up his most recent technical with 10:48 left in Wednesday's 111-105 win against the Brooklyn Nets. That came as he finished with 32 points and a franchiserecord 30 rebounds, becoming just the eighth player in league history with a 30-30 game.

Antetokounmpo doubtful

The Milwaukee Bucks say Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Friday night's game against the Chicago Bulls with a sprained right ankle.

The All-Star forward got hurt in the second quarter of a 127-120 loss on Wednesday to the Los Angeles Clippers when he appeared to trip over teammate Shabazz Muhammad under the Bucks' basket.

Antetokounmpo is fourth in the league in scoring at 27.3 points a game.

Blakeney done for season

The Chicago Bulls say guard Antonio Blakeney will miss the remainder of the season because of a broken bone in his left wrist.

Blakeney was injured in Monday's loss at New York. He scored six points on 3-for10 shooting in Wednesday's loss to Denver after being listed as questionable. The Bulls say an MRI on Thursday confirmed the fracture.

Blakeney averaged 7.9 points in 19 games.