Jan. 13--The head-butt that had the basketball world buzzing Monday has turned into a headache for its perpetrator.
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett was suspended one game and fined $15,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for head-butting Houston Rockets forward Dwight Howard during an on-court altercation.
In its decision, the league concluded that Garnett started the ruckus and that Howard only retaliated physically after he was head-butted. The NBA agreed with its referees that Howard only pushed Garnett and did not throw a punch.
The fight started when Garnett fouled Howard with 7:53 remaining in the first quarter. The two then lightly shoved one another, prompting Garnett to throw the ball at Howard's back. Garnett then head-butted Howard near his mouth, triggering a tussle between the two teams. Garnett received a technical foul and was ejected as the Rockets went on to win, 113-99.
Garnett will miss Brooklyn's game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.
