Malone Fined And Suspended

Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone has been fined $7,500 and suspended one game without pay for backhanding Christian Laettner of the Dallas Mavericks in the face.

Stu Jackson, NBA senior vice president, announced the league's action Wednesday.

The slapping occurred with 6:56 remaining in the first period of Dallas' 107-98 victory Monday night in Salt Lake City.

Malone was scheduled to miss Wednesday night's game against the Denver Nuggets.

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