Washington

Suspensions May Be Coming


Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services 

Brendan Haywood and Larry Hughes could get suspended as soon as today when NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson returns from his Board of Governors meeting to watch the videotape of Monday's skirmish in Chicago. If both are suspended, the Wizards will be missing three starters and some important backups to open the season on the road against Memphis.

Haywood was not ejected from the game, which should have been mandatory, given he threw a punch. Only Chicago's Antonio Davis and Washington's Michael Ruffin were ejected, though Ruffin was merely trying to make the peace.

What happened was Hughes shoved Chicago's Kirk Hinrich into a streaking Luol Deng, knocking him to the floor. Hinrich had words for Hughes. At this point, Haywood stood up for his teammate and pushed Hinrich. Haywood then proceeded to swing at Davis, who at first retaliated and then threw a punch of his own that ended with the two big guys wrestling on the floor. While Haywood was on the floor, Chicago's Eddy Curry punched him.

If both suspensions go through, that will add Haywood and Hughes to the list of players missing in action for the first game, which already includes Gilbert Arenas (suspended for guilty plea to possession of an unregistered gun in California), Kwame Brown (injury), and Steve Blake (injury). Even Etan Thomas (injury) may be unavailable to start the season. See the Injury Update below for more information.

Can the Wizards afford to cut any more players? They have to. To get down to 15, the final roster spot challenge is a race between Bill Thomas, Laron Profit, and Gerald Fitch. The team's media guide was released and it included Fitch.

NEXT GAME
The Wizards hope to even back up to .500 when they close out their eight-game pre-season slate with a trip out west to visit Kobe Bryant and the garage-sale Lakers on Thursday, October 28th at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/5:30 p.m. Pacific time. The game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Network. Tickets are still available for this game at the Staples Center.

TEAM NOTES
Tune into WTOP every weekday at 7:17 a.m. and 5:17 p.m. as the Wizards discuss topics on and off the court. Gilbert Arenas and NBC4's Arch Campbell kick off this week's action with a review of Ladder 49.

INJURY UPDATE
Steve Blake(ankle) is out 10 to 12 weeks;Kwame Brown(pinkie toe) will miss training camp, return date unclear;Anthony Peeler(dental surgery) is day to day;Etan Thomas(abdomen) is out with return date unclear.

NEWSLINES

John N. Mitchell ofThe Washington Postwrites: The Washington Wizards' Brendan Haywood and Larry Hughes could face suspensions for their part in a fight during Monday night's preseason game against the Bulls in Chicago.Haywood, who took a swing at Chicago's Antonio Davis in the third quarter of the Wizards' 100-95 loss, almost certainly will be suspended for the team's Nov. 3 opener. Meanwhile, Hughes, who had less of a role in the third-quarter fight, also could face disciplinary action. If the ruling, which could come as early as today, includes suspensions, the Wizards will open the season without three starters.

Tom Knott ofThe Washington Timeswrites: As usual, with another NBA season coming into view, we are wrestling with Abe Pollin's tunnel syndrome, which is a uniquely Washington affliction that embraces the playoff potential of the Wizards.We see none of the bad at this time of the year.

John Ryan ofThe Mercury Newswrites: Funny thing about the Bulls-Wizards fight? Washington was trying to be intimidating. Coach Eddie Jordan has asked for more toughness. Gilbert Arenas wants a no-layup rule. But after Larry Hughes shoved one Bull into another, Antonio Davis took exception. By the time it ended, Davis had sent Brendan Haywood -- Washington's biggest guy -- reeling with a slap to the face and body-slammed him.