Lakers center Andrew Bynum was suspended without pay by the NBA for the first five games of next season he is eligible and physically able to play for his flagrant foul on Dallas guard J.J. Barea. Bynum was additionally fined $25,000 for “removing his jersey and the manner in which he left the court.”

Bynum’s suspension was for “unnecessary and excessive contact,” according to the NBA, in describing his raised forearm to Barea as his ribs were unprotected as he shot. The lost money from Bynum’s $14.9 million salary next season and the fine add up to $702,273.

Bynum earlier Tuesday expressed regret for his actions with the Lakers’ season having slipped away in the fourth quarter of Game 4 Sunday, calling it a “terrible” situation he created and vowing it wouldn’t happen again.

Reporting from El Segundo

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