By The Associated Press

Published: Thursday, November 29, 2012, 10:04 p.m.
Updated: Friday, November 30, 2012

WALTHAM, Mass. — Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was suspended for the third time this calendar year Thursday when the NBA told him to sit out two games without pay for starting a skirmish that sent players sprawling into the courtside seats.

Rondo will miss Friday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers and Sunday's against the Bucks in Milwaukee. He also will give up $200,000 in pay.

Celtics center Kevin Garnett was fined $25,000 for his role in the scuffle, and Nets forward Gerald Wallace was fined $35,000.

Rondo was thrown out of Wednesday night's 95-83 loss to the Nets in the second quarter when he shoved Nets forward Kris Humphries off the parquet to retaliate for a hard foul on Garnett. A shoving match ensued; Rondo, Humphries and Wallace were ejected.

Rondo spoke with the league by telephone Thursday and made his case.

“I told them the truth,” he said after practice at the Celtics' workout facility in suburban Boston. “I don't think I did anything dirty. I didn't try to start a riot. I don't think it was more than just a pushing war.”

Rondo was suspended twice last season after losing his temper — once when he threw a ball at a referee, and again during the playoffs when he chest-bumped an official while disputing a foul call.

NBA vows to sanction Spurs for resting regulars

NBA Commissioner David Stern says the San Antonio Spurs will be hit with “substantial sanctions” for their decision to send four regulars home before their game in Miami on Thursday night.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green were sent home by San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, who cited a desire to get them rest at the end of a long road trip. The NBA was not happy, and Stern released a statement saying he apologizes “to all NBA fans.”

Warriors' Bogut out indefinitely

Andrew Bogut's troubled left ankle will sideline the Warriors' 7-footer indefinitely, according to multiple reports.

The club said there was no intent to deceive regarding the extent of Bogut's April surgery, which the player and the club made known Tuesday involved a more serious microfracture procedure.

Cavs sign WVU's Jones, waive Harangody

The Cavaliers signed rookie forward Kevin Jones, and waived forward Luke Harangody.

Jones, a former All-American at West Virginia, was signed by Cleveland as an undrafted free agent this summer. He averaged 27 points and 13.7 rebounds for the Cavs' NBA D-League team in Canton, Ohio.

Miami beats Spurs, still perfect at home

In Miami, Ray Allen's 3-pointer with 22.6 seconds left gave the Heat the lead, and they held on to beat the short-handed San Antonio, 105-100, to remain perfect at home this season.

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