NEW YORK, March 9 (UPI) -- Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest was suspended by the NBA Sunday for the third time this season after exceeding the maximum number of flagrant foul points during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night.
Artest picked up his sixth flagrant foul point when he committed a "flagrant 1" foul on Bonzi Wells in the second quarter of Saturday night's 94-80 win at the Rose Garden.
Unlike his previous two league-imposed suspensions, this one was automatic. He had previously been hit with two flagrant 2 fouls.
Artest served his one-game suspension Sunday night when the Pacers visited Sacramento.
Although he is one of the best defensive players in the league, Artest also is one of the most volatile.
In January, he was suspended twice by the NBA for a total of seven games for throwing a television camera and monitor following a road loss to the New York Knicks and for making contact with Miami coach Pat Riley during a road game.
Two weeks ago, Artest was left home by Coach Isiah Thomas for a trip to Boston for reportedly slamming a framed picture to the floor in the locker room.
