Serge Ibaka won't be punished for hitting Blake Griffin in groin
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka will not be fined or suspended for hitting Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin in the groin, a league source told Yahoo Sports.
Ibaka hit Griffin in the groin with his fist early in the Thunder's 101-99 loss to the Clippers in Game 4 of a second-round series on Sunday. Ibaka said the incident was an accident because he was pushed from behind by Thunder teammate Kendrick Perkins.
With the NBA's determination the incident was an accident, Ibaka will play in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The series is tied 2-2.
"No punch thrown," Ibaka said on Sunday. "I was in traffic and one of my teammates pushed me from the back. Then I tried to fall and [Griffin] was already up. It was nothing like that."
It was the second time Ibaka hit Griffin below the belt. He was fined $25,000 but not suspended after hitting Griffin in the groin during a game on March 3, 2013. Griffin also received a bloody nose when he bumped into Ibaka in Game 3 of the series.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Monday during his media teleconference the play deserved to be reviewed, but he trusted the NBA to make the correct determination.
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