INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Combustible Indiana Pacers swingman Ron Artest was left behind instead of traveling with the team for Wednesday night's game against the Boston Celtics.
According to team spokesman David Benner, Pacers Coach Isiah Thomas decided to make the trip without one of his top players. Benner said "it's a disciplinary thing," but was unsure when Artest would return to the team.
"I don't know," Benner said. "That will be up to Isiah."
The Pacers return home to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday before embarking on a four-game West Coast road trip. They entered Wednesday's action tied with the Detroit Pistons for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Although no official reason was given for Artest's suspension, the New York Post reported that he grabbed a framed picture and smashed it against the locker room wall.
"What took place in the locker room and what happened inside -- from a coaching standpoint and from a team standpoint -- really needs to stay inside the locker room," Thomas said prior to Wednesday's game. "If Ron chooses to speak about it, that's his prerogative."
Thomas refused to reveal the specifics of Artest's absence and did not indicate when the defensive-minded swingman would return to the club.
Playing with a sore right elbow, Artest went three of 17 from the floor in Tuesday night's 83-78 loss to the Washington Wizards. He finished with eight points and just three rebounds in 28 minutes.
"I think tonight was one of my worst games," he said after the game. "I just wasn't 100 percent. I'm just going to have to keep fighting through it."
Artest is sidelined via suspension for the third time this season. He was banned three games by the league for throwing a television monitor and camera following a loss to the New York Knicks on Jan. 5.
On Jan. 29, Artest was suspended another four games by the NBA for making contact with Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, taunting the opposing team and making an obsence gesture to the fans.
