Markieff Morris suspended for one game for elbowing Serge Ibaka

Oct 22, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA;Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) lunges for the loose ball against defender Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) in the second half at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Thunder 88 to 76. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns will most likely be without their starting forward Markieff Morris for opening night on October 30th against the Portland Trailblazers. Morris is suspended for one game due to elbowing Thunder big man Serge Ibaka in the head on Tuesday night.

While Oklahoma City’s Reggie Jackson was shooting a free throw, Markieff Morris had boxed out Serge Ibaka to get the rebound if Jackson had missed. In the process of Morris boxing Ibaka out, he accidentally brings his arm up and elbows Ibaka in the face.

If you click here, you can see the video of Morris elbowing Ibaka. Now, Morris did not do this with malicious intent and instead it was purely just a basketball play. The NBA does not like this kind of rough play and will bring the hammer down in the right manner.

Without Morris starting at the power forward position on October 30th, the Suns will now have to lean on many different combinations. First of all, Channing Frye will most likely get the start for the Suns but he was out of basketball for a year so his minutes will be monitored.

With Frye’s minutes being monitored expect to see rookie Alex Len, veteran Marcin Gortat, and newcomer Miles Plumlee play a lot. If you remember, the Suns got Plumlee from the Indiana Pacers in the Luis Scola trade.