Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers has been suspended one game without pay for striking Minnesota Timberwolves guard Marko Jaric in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred last night with 58.7 remaining in the fourth period of the Lakers 117-107 (2OT) loss to the Timberwolves at Target Center. Bryant will serve his suspension tonight when the Lakers play the Milwaukee Bucks at Bradley Center.

Fan discussion of the incident, and now reaction to the suspension, is in this forum thread.

You can also watch the incident on YouTube.

InsideHoops.com Editor Says: The league did the right thing. Kobe, stop the karate chops. Plenty of other guys have landed "accidental" strikes without making it look blatant. But your "arm whip" thing seems intentional. I love watching you play, and must insist you drop the move.