Lakers star Metta World Peace (Ron Artest before the name change) showed some distinctly un-dove like behavior during the game against Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday when he decked James Harden with an elbow.
World Peace, who was thrown out of the game, was sorry for his actions afterwards, but that will be of scant consolation to Harden, who reportedly suffered a concussion as a result of the blow.
“During that play I just dunked on (Kevin) Durant and (Serge) Ibaka and I got really emotional and excited and it was unfortunate that James had to get hit with an unintentional elbow,” he said, according to ESPN.
“I hope he’s OK. The Thunder, they’re playing for a championship this year, so I hope that he’s OK and I apologize to the Thunder and to James Harden.”
In the game itself, World Metta Peace scored 12 points before his ejection, and Kobe Byrant had 26 points in the Lakers’ 114-106 win over the Thunder.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4iKxuxN_hYg
World Peace took to his Twitter account later on to further express his regret at the incident.
“Hope James Hardin is ok… I remember when I hit by Marc Gasol the same way.. I was spitting up blood and a headache during the game…,” he tweeted.
I just watched the replay again….. Oooo.. My celebration of the dunk really was too much… Didn’t even see James ….. Omg… Looks bad.”
In a later tweet, World Peace tweeted that he picked up an injury of his own in Sunday’s game.
“Wow.. Didn’t really think Kendrick Perkins broke my nose…. Super sore… Basketball too emotional …….”
Metta World Peace, who has had more than his fair share of disciplinary problems during his career, could be handed a suspension for the incident.
