The Indiana Pacers have announced the suspension of assistant coach Greg Foster and a fine for center Goga Bitadze following a heated altercations during Wednesday’s loss at home to the Sacramento Kings, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
During the altercation, Foster had to be restrained by Pacers center Myles Turner and it is believed that he was upset by Bitadze’s lack of resistance during a dunk by Kings’ forward Maurice Harkless, according to The Indianapolis Star’s Matthew VanTryon.
Following the dunk by Harkless, Bitadze hit a three-pointer and appeared to yell at Foster to “sit the f$#k down”, which fueled the altercation on the sidelines, according to the Indianapolis Star’s J. Michael.
Pacers head coach Nate Bjorkgren has been rumored to be on the hot seat, so this latest hiccup will do little to help him keep his job.
The team suspended Foster for one game and fined Bitazdee. Additionally, the Pacers believe that Foster and Bitadze have had a “strong working relationship” this season and plan to continue that relationship moving forward.
