NBA: Nigerian big man Ezeli suspended for throat grab

Festus Ezeli  of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Dec 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. -- PHOTO: AFP
Festus Ezeli  of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Dec 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. -- PHOTO: AFP

NEW YORK (AFP) - Golden State Warriors centre Festus Ezeli, a backup big man to Australia's Andrew Bogut with the NBA overall leaders, was hit with a one-game ban on Saturday by the league.

Ezeli was suspended for grabbing the throat of Toronto Raptors centre Tyler Hansbrough during Golden State's 113-89 victory at Toronto on Friday.

Ezeli's move sparked an altercation with 0.4 of a second remaining in the third quarter.

As a result of the ban, Ezeli will miss Golden State's game on Sunday at Boston.

Ezeli is averaging 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds a game over 24 appearances with the Warriors, who at 45-11 own the best record in the NBA.

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