Biyombo suspended for 2016-17 opener for flagrant fouls

NEW YORK (AP) The NBA says Toronto center Bismack Biyombo will be suspended without pay for the opener of the 2016-17 season for accumulation of flagrant foul

NEW YORK (AP) The NBA says Toronto center Bismack Biyombo will be suspended without pay for the opener of the 2016-17 season for accumulation of flagrant foul points in the playoffs.

The league says Thursday that Biyombo reached the four-point limit in Game 6 of the Raptors' loss to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals, meaning it upheld the flagrant he was called for when he elbowed Kevin Love in the chin as he spun for a layup.

The penalty could have been rescinded after review by the league office. Instead, he is ineligible for his next game, since the Raptors' season ended with that loss.

Biyombo may not be in Toronto next season. He can become a free agent and will likely command a major raise after his strong play in place of injured starter Jonas Valanciunas in the postseason.