O’Neal was ejected with 5:19 remaining in the second quarter of Phoenix’s 106-84 win against Detroit on Sunday after being called for a flagrant 2 foul (an automatic ejection) when he collided with Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey, who was driving to the basket.
Stuckey narrowly avoided landing on his face by using his arms to brace his fall. Stuckey said afterward that his wrists were sore, but other than that he was feeling OK.
“I’ve never been the type of player to take anyone out,” O’Neal said. “I was going for the ball. He fell and added a little bit to the end. The referees looked at how he fell, I think.”
It is unclear if O’Neal will miss any additional games for foul.
“The NBA is going to do what they do,” O’Neal said. “You can’t really control a governing body that has all the power. I’m a man, whatever they dole out I’ll just take it. But you look at me and look at my character, I’ve never been that type of player.”
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