Paul Pierce was fined $15,000 and four Wizards were suspended after a scuffle with the Chicago Bulls on Monday in the preseason opener that was initiated by Bulls forward Joakim Noah, then boosted by Pierce’s retaliation.
DeJuan Blair, Nene, Daniel Orton and Xavier Silas were suspended one game each for leaving the bench area during an altercation. They will miss the first game they are physically able to participate in. The Wizards open Oct. 29 at Miami.
Orton and Silas are longshots to make the roster. Nene is expected to start at power forward, with Blair as the primary backup. Drew Gooden or Kris Humphries could start at power forward against the Heat.
Noah was fined $15,000 for “initiating an altercation with Pierce by pushing him in the chest and Pierce has been fined $15,000 for hitting Noah in the forehead with his left index finger,” according to the NBA.
Washington has talked during the preseason about its desire to be a more physical team this year. Pierce committed a hard foul early in the game and Orton a crushing screen later.
The Wizards eliminated the Bulls from the playoffs last season, 4-1, in the first round of the playoffs.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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