Hassan Whiteside can sit back and relax. He’s earned himself an extra day off, courtesy of the NBA.
Whiteside will be suspended without pay for the Miami Heat’s next game after elbowing Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk in the back of the neck, NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn announced Tuesday. The play in question occurred during the third quarter of Miami’s 100-90 loss to Boston on Monday night.
The hit caught Olynyk unaware, as the second-year pro said he and Whiteside were not jawing, scrapping or doing anything prior that might have instigated the cheap shot. Even Miami teammate Dwyane Wade expressed displeasure with Whiteside’s actions.
Whiteside will serve his suspension Wednesday, when the Heat host the Brooklyn Nets, with whom they are battling for the eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
