While the Brooklyn Nets lost to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, 109-105, its starting point guard Jarrett Jack was ejected from the Barclays Center game after being called for a flagrant foul 2. Worse, the veteran floor general could face a one or two-game suspension to open the regular season as a result.
The New York Post indicated that Jack "may face suspension" after he crashed into Celtics power forward Jonas Jerebko during a Boston fast break with about 10 minutes left in the second quarter.
The 31-year-old, 10-year pro lost the ball to Jared Sullinger while dribbling in midcourt, which Jerebko picked up and ran on the break. But instead of going for the ball while scrambling back on defense, Jack hit Jerebko hard, sprawling the 28-year-old Swedish on the floor.
"It was a frustration foul and I did a little more than I intended to do," said the NBA journeyman, as reported by the New York Daily News. "I didn't mean to do that actually. It was a little bit of heat of the moment. My intention wasn't to do that at all, but I thought the ref did make the proper call about what happened."
When asked about the possibility of getting a suspension, he simply said, "I hope not."
The person who will decide whether he gets an additional penalty (a suspension or a fine) will be Kiki Vandeweghe, the league's EVP of basketball operations. Vandeweghe is expected to review the tape and a decision could be handed down within the week or early next week.
Jack admitted that he "felt bad" about what happened because he is good friends with Jerebko, while the former Detroit Piston said that he does not hold it against Jack, saying that "It happens. It hurts a little bit, but I'm good."