New Orleans Hornets' Jason Smith has been suspended two games for his foul on Los Angeles' Blake Griffin on Thursday night. The foul was assessed as a flagrant 2 foul, which carries an automatic ejection, and came late in the game as Griffin was on a fast break. Smith bodychecked Griffin and knocked him to the floor hard, never making an attempt for the basketball. There was some jawing after the fact - with former Hornets' guard Chris Paul taking exception to the play.
Paul noted after the game, "It was a terrible foul. I don't know what Jason was thinking. He probably better be ready to sit out a game or two for that one. I'm just glad Blake controlled it."
Smith was immediately ejected, and offered an apology after the fact.
"I think it looked a lot worse than what it was, but that's still not a play that you ever want to do to another player like that," Smith said. "I apologize to Blake Griffin. I didn't want to hurt him at all. I just wanted to try and cut off his lane to the basket."
See the play for yourself: