Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett was suspended for one game on Tuesday for headbutting Houston Rockets centre Dwight Howard in a game on Monday night.
The NBA said Howard, who caught Garnett on the neck with what appeared to be an open-handed swing in their first-quarter altercation, was fined $US15,000 ($A16,000).
There were just under eight minutes remaining in the first quarter of the game in Brooklyn when Garnett and Howard tangled under the basket.
They exchanged shoves, and Garnett drilled the ball toward Howard.
The two then stepped towards each other, and Garnett butted his head to Howard's jaw.
Howard responded with an open-handed swing, which the officials apparently thought was another push, not a punch.
Other players and Nets security stepped in to restrain Garnett, who received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game.
Howard was assessed one technical foul and stayed in the contest, which the Rockets won 113-99.
Garnett will serve his suspension on Wednesday when the Nets host Memphis.
