Magic guard Afflalo banned two games for fighting

New York: Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo was issued a two-game fighting suspension Thursday by the NBA after body blocking and throwing a punch at Minnesota forward Nemanja Bjelica in a game.

The incident came with 4:32 elapsed in the second quarter of Orlando's 108-102 home victory Tuesday over the Timberwolves.

On the play, Afflalo was tasked with trying to stop the 29-year-old Serbian standout as he ran toward the basket for a possible rebound. Afflalo twice blocked the larger Bjelica to deny him a place near the rim, then swung a right hand punch to his rival's head.

Both players were ejected in the incident, which came after each of them had been first assessed technical fouls.

Afflalo's ban will begin Thursday when the Magic visit Cleveland and continue Sunday when Orlando will visit Eastern Conference leader Boston. He will be able to return Tuesday when the Magic play host to Sacramento.

Afflalo averages 3.0 points and 1.2 rebounds a game for the Magic, who share the worst record in the NBA at 13-31 with Atlanta and Sacramento.