NEW YORK, March 31, 2006 – Dallas Mavericks center DJ Mbenga has been suspended one game without pay for committing a Flagrant Foul Penalty Two by striking Cleveland’s LeBron James in the head, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which a Flagrant Foul Penalty One was called and, subsequently, upgraded by the League Office to a Flagrant Foul Penalty Two, occurred with 7:35 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Mavericks 107-94 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena. Mbenga will serve his suspension tonight against the Orlando Magic.