NEW YORK (AP) -- Trail Blazers forward Rasheed Wallace was suspended Saturday for seven games without pay for confronting and threatening a referee outside the Rose Garden in Portland.
Referees noted the confrontation in a routine report filed after Portland's 100-92 home victory over Memphis on Wednesday night.
``He accosted a referee and threatened him,'' NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson said.
Jackson refused to elaborate on the confrontation, which happened after the game in the arena's loading dock, where players and other game personnel park their cars.
``We strongly believe the penalty that we issued was appropriate for Rasheed's actions,'' Jackson said during a conference call.
Jackson said there was no physical contact between Wallace and referee Tim Donaghy.
The Trail Blazers had no immediate comment. Portland played Minnesota on Saturday night at the Rose Garden.
Wallace scored a season-high 38 points and had 10 rebounds in the game. Donaghy called a technical foul on him with 9:45 to go in the third quarter. The call appeared to be for Wallace's return of the ball to another referee after he was called for a foul.
Two seasons ago, Wallace led the league with 41 technical fouls and seven ejections. He has five technicals this season.
Jackson said prior indiscretions by Wallace were taken into account.
``The actions here were completely out of bounds and they were not appropriate and will not be tolerated,'' Jackson said.
Wallace can appeal the suspension.
Referees noted the confrontation in a routine report filed after Portland's 100-92 home victory over Memphis on Wednesday night.
``He accosted a referee and threatened him,'' NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson said.
Jackson refused to elaborate on the confrontation, which happened after the game in the arena's loading dock, where players and other game personnel park their cars.
``We strongly believe the penalty that we issued was appropriate for Rasheed's actions,'' Jackson said during a conference call.
Jackson said there was no physical contact between Wallace and referee Tim Donaghy.
The Trail Blazers had no immediate comment. Portland played Minnesota on Saturday night at the Rose Garden.
Wallace scored a season-high 38 points and had 10 rebounds in the game. Donaghy called a technical foul on him with 9:45 to go in the third quarter. The call appeared to be for Wallace's return of the ball to another referee after he was called for a foul.
Two seasons ago, Wallace led the league with 41 technical fouls and seven ejections. He has five technicals this season.
Jackson said prior indiscretions by Wallace were taken into account.
``The actions here were completely out of bounds and they were not appropriate and will not be tolerated,'' Jackson said.
Wallace can appeal the suspension.
