Shaq OUT for tonight's game at Indiana

Brock Landers · Feb 2, 2004

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Shaquille O'Neal apologized Monday for using profanities during an interview on live television after the Lakers' victory Sunday over the Raptors, then learned he had been suspended one game without pay by the NBA.

The suspension was announced by Stu Jackson, the NBA's senior vice president basketball operations. O'Neal will sit out the Lakers' Monday night at Indiana.

wilheim · Feb 2, 2004

While we are on the subject:

HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis, the team's leading scorer, was suspended for one game for missing a flight to Phoenix Sunday night.

The Rockets issued a statement saying Francis would not be with the team for its game against the Suns Monday. Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said the team would have no additional comment.

Francis leads the Rockets with a 16.6 scoring average and 5.9 assists per game.