Karl Malone Suspended, Fined in Incident

Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz was suspended for one game without pay and fined $10,000 for a flagrant foul against Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons that caused a 40-stitch slash above Thomas’ eye.

Because of the incident, which occurred Saturday night, Malone will sit out tonight’s game against the Hornets at Charlotte, N.C.

“I’m a man, I won’t avoid anything,” Malone told ABC Radio Sports on Monday night. “Whatever I’ve got coming to me that’s what I’ll do.

“I thought it was a clean foul, but obviously the NBA didn’t think that. I hope Isiah is OK. The thing about it is, we are taught to protect the baskets.”

Said Piston General Manager Jack McCloskey: “Obviously, it was commensurate with the deed. The league does what it feels is right. Whether we’re satisfied or not really doesn’t matter.”

Darrell Walker of the Pistons was fined $5,000 for leaving the bench area after the foul and attempting to fight with Malone.