Sydney NBL star Josh Childress has been suspended for two games after pleading guilty to a charge of unsportsmanlike behaviour, but it might prove to be a hollow sanction.
The former NBA star verbally abused the referees in the tunnel in the aftermath of the Kings' 99-98 away loss to Adelaide on Saturday at Titanium Security Arena.
The NBL independent tribunal on Tuesday night decided to suspend Childress for two games, effective immediately.
However, a broken hand means he was never likely to play in Thursday's home return against Adelaide and there was no guarantee he would have been fit for their next game the following Thursday against the visiting NZ Breakers.
A NBL official confirmed the tribunal had been aware of the injury and that there was no specific date for the American player's return.
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In his absence, Sydney, who are at the bottom of the eight-team competition with a 2-7 record, have brought in his former Atlanta Hawks NBA teammate Al Harrington.
Childress suffered the injury in the only game he played for Sydney this season, in a home loss to Adelaide.
A torn foot ligament kept him out of their earlier matches.
Childress was also directed by the tribunal to provide written apologies in the next seven days to the referees involved.
He also received a two-game suspended suspension - to apply to any offences relating to game officials for the 2015/16 and the 2016/17 NBL seasons.
Tribunal Chairman Tony Nolan QC stated the conduct of Childress was serious.
"This tribunal will not tolerate any misconduct which is directed at the referees," Nolan said.
Another charge of offensive language to referee/game official was withdrawn.
It's the second NBL disciplinary black mark against the 32-year-old.
In his maiden NBL campaign of 2014-15, he received a two-game sanction - one of which was suspended until the end of the season - after pleading guilty to unduly rough conduct for a heavy foul on Perth's Jesse Wagstaff.
He was fined $3750 for the unduly rough conduct and another $3750 for publicly criticising officials.
