The Indiana Pacers may be without star Paul George when they face the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series.
USA TODAY Sports reported that George and Pacers backup guard Rasual Butler could be suspended for the deciding game in the series because they stepped out onto the court during an altercation between Pacers guard George Hill and Hawks forward Mike Scott during the first half of the Pacers' 95-88 victory in Game 6 in Atlanta on Thursday night.
An NBA rule states that "During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators will be suspended, without pay, for a minimum of one game and fined up to $50,000."
According to USA TODAY Sports, George and Butler were near their bench, but the issue is their step out onto the court.
"I'm not concerned about any isuspensions until we hear something," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said after the game, adding that he didn't expect any."
A George suspension could have a career-threatening consequence for Vogel, whose job could be on the line if the Pacers don't make it past the first round.
The rule was enforced during the 2007 Western Conference semifinals matchup between the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. During Game 4 of their playoff series, Spurs forward Robert Horry tackled Suns point guard Steve Nash, and Suns teammates Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for Game 5 because they did not remain on the bench.
The Suns won Game 4, but the Spurs beat the short-handed Suns in Game 5 and went on to win the series.
Hill and Scott also could be suspended for their fight in Game 4.
Do you think between Indiana Pacers Paul George and Rasual Butler should be suspended stepping onto the court during an altercation? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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