Clippers' Matt Barnes suspended for 'striking' Greg Stiemsma

The NBA has suspended Clippers forward Matt Barnes one game without pay for "striking" Minnesota center Greg Stiemsma in the neck.

By Royce Young

Feb 1, 2013 at 2:29 pm ET • 1 min read

You knew extra punishment was coming. It was just a matter of how severe it was.

The NBA has suspended Clippers forward Matt Barnes one game without pay for "striking" Minnesota center Greg Stiemsma in the neck.

Barnes will serve the suspension Friday against the Raptors.

With 8:25 left in the second quarter of the Clippers and Timberwolves game on Jan. 30, Barnes was fighting through a screen by Stiemsma and after an intial bump, Barnes took exception to something and decided to go for Stiemsma's throat.

After review, it was determined to be a Flagrant 2, for which Barnes was ejected.

Barnes is the first player suspended for a flagrant this season. Dwight Howard and Charlie Villanueva who were both fined for their flagrant fouls.

This is actually Barnes second suspension of the season as he was suspended for the Clippers' opener after pleading "no contest" after resisting arrest in July on traffic violation charges.

Barnes, 32, has emerged as a strong bench weapon for the Clippers this season, averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds.