Thomas, Cartwright Are Fined, Suspended

Detroit Pistons guard Isiah Thomas was fined $5,000 and suspended for two games by the National Basketball Assn. for starting a fight with Chicago Bulls center Bill Cartwright Friday night, the league announced Saturday.

Cartwright was fined $2,500 and suspended for one game, and Detroit forward Mark Aguirre was fined $2,000 for “acting as other than a peacemaker,” NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said.

McIntyre said Thomas was given the stiffer penalty because he “started the fight and threw the first punch and several others.”

Thomas will have his injured left hand examined again this morning at Detroit’s Harper Hospital.

“At this point we feel there could be a slight fracture in the hand,” said Brendon Suhr, the Pistons’ assistant coach. “It’s a strong possibility that the fracture could keep him out (up to) three weeks.”