The NBA has suspended Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva for his altercation with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Ryan Hollins on Monday night.
Villanueva was issued a five-game suspension, which begins with the Pistons’ regular season finale Wednesday night at Philadelphia. With only one game remaining on the Pistons’ schedule, Villanueva will serve the remainder of his penalty during the first four games of next season.
The incident in question occurred during the fourth quarter of Detroit’s 110-101 loss to the Cavaliers in its home finale.
Here’s more from FOX Sports Detroit:
Monday’s incident began midway through the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 110-101 victory at the Palace. Villanueva, angered by what he felt was an intentional elbow moments earlier, set a screen on Hollins while simultaneously delivering a blow to his groin. Hollins immediately grabbed Villanueva, and the two began grappling while reaching at each other’s faces.
After being ejected, Villanueva attempted to confront Hollins again in the visiting team tunnel and at the Cavaliers’ bench. Following the game, he then tried to get to the Cleveland locker room but was stopped by police. That attempt to escalate the altercation is what led the league to issue a multi-game suspension, according to NBA vice president Stu Jackson.
Villanueva was already in Philadelphia with the Pistons when the suspension was announced.