NBA suspends 9 for Detroit brawl

NEW YORK — The NBA issued some of the harshest penalties in its history Sunday, suspending nine players for more than 140 games for fighting with fans during a melee at the end of a game Friday between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons.

Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season — 73 games — the longest suspension ever levied for a fight during a game.

Indiana's Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games and Jermaine O'Neal for 25. Detroit's Ben Wallace — whose shove of Artest after a foul led to the five-minute fracas — drew a six-game ban, while Pacers guard Anthony Johnson got five games.

All of the suspensions are without pay. Artest will lose approximately $5 million in salary, while O'Neal's suspension will cost him nearly 25 percent of his $14.8 million salary for the current season.

Players union director Billy Hunter, calling the penalties excessive, said an appeal would be filed today.

David Gorcyca, the Oakland County prosecutor, said in a phone interview that the players and fans involved in the melee could be charged with a number of crimes, ranging from misdemeanor assault and battery to felonious assault, which carries a maximum four-year prison term.

"The line is drawn, and my guess is that won't happen again — certainly not by anybody who wants to be associated with our league," commissioner David Stern said.

"I'm sick about that for Indiana. I'm devastated for them," Pistons coach Larry Brown said. "And we lost our heart and soul."

Four players — Indiana's Reggie Miller, and Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman — were suspended one game apiece for leaving the bench during the initial fracas.

"We have to make the point that there are boundaries in our games," Stern said. "One of our boundaries, that have always been immutable, is the boundary that separates the fans from the court. Players cannot lose control and move into the stands."

Artest, O'Neal and Jackson began serving their suspensions Saturday.

The Pacers will be able to place Artest, O'Neal and Jackson on the suspended list and sign players to take their place. Limited to just six players Saturday, Indiana dropped an 86-83 decision to Orlando.

Billups, Coleman and Campbell served their suspensions Sunday. Wallace will be eligible to return Dec. 3 against San Antonio.