Lakers' Artest suspended for one game

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson figured it would happen, and Thursday afternoon it did: Forward Ron Artest was suspended one game without pay for clotheslining Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea in the final seconds of the teams' playoff game Wednesday night.

"I have no reaction (to the suspension)," Artest said after practice Thursday. "I'm just ready to move forward and play basketball. We have a big game tomorrow. We just have to focus on Game 3. I can't imagine anything more important than Game 3. Moving forward. That's just what it's all about."

The loss of Artest puts the Lakers in a deeper hole after they lost the first two games of the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals at home. Game 3 is at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday.

"It's not about what we're going to miss," Artest said when asked what the Lakers will miss most with him unavailable. "It's what we're going to do."

The fine was handed down in New York by Stu Jackson, NBA executive vice president of basketball operations. Artest's contact was classified as a "flagrant foul two" by the league office, meaning it was considered unnecessary and excessive.

Artest, 32, has been suspended 13 times in his NBA career, but his previous penalty came in 2007 when he played for the Sacramento Kings. The lengths of the suspensions have ranged from one game to seven, although he received a season-long suspension in November 2004 for his role in a brawl involving players and fans while a member of the Indiana Pacers.

There were 24.4 seconds left in Wednesday's game, which the Mavs won 93-81 at Staples Center, when Artest swung his forearm and struck Barea in the face as he moved up the court with the ball.

After the game, Jackson said Artest's actions were "uncalled for" and said he felt there was "a good chance" Artest would be suspended.

Artest had 11 points and six rebounds in 31 minutes but was 1 of 4 on 3-point attempts. Earlier in the game he also picked up a technical foul.

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, asked afterward about Artest's foul, said, "The league will handle it."

Thursday, the league did.