NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A federal judge ruled Thursday that an arbitrator was within his rights when he reduced the suspension of Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal.
Arbitrator Roger Kaplan announced Wednesday he was reducing O'Neal's NBA-imposed suspension from 25 games to 15. The NBA immediately appealed, but U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels sided with Kaplan.
That clears O'Neal to play on Christmas Day against Detroit. It will be the first meeting between the Pistons and Pacers since they were involved in a brawl that resulted in major suspensions and criminal charges.
Kaplan upheld all the other suspensions imposed by NBA Commissioner David Stern, including the season-long ban on Ron Artest.
Daniels heard arguments from both the NBA and the players' union Thursday and watched a videotape of the fights that broke out between players and fans in Auburn Hills, Mich.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said the league would abide by the judge's decision, but would continue the appeal process on the grounds an arbitrator has no right to interfere with Stern's decision.
