NBA guard Mayo banned for throat punch

Milwaukee guard O.J. Mayo has been suspended one NBA game for a throat punch on New Orleans' centre Greg Stiesma.

Milwaukee guard O.J. Mayo has been suspended one NBA game for a throat punch on a rival player. (AAP)

Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo was suspended one game without pay on Saturday after striking a rival player in the throat.

Mayo was deemed to have committed a flagrant foul and ejected Friday for a punch to the throat of New Orleans Pelicans centre Greg Stiemsma with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter of Milaukee's 112-104 road loss.

The ban took Mayo off the roster for Milwaukee's home game on Saturday against Washington.

Mayo is averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Bucks, who are an NBA-worst 12-49.