© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Ahead of tonight’s game at the Memphis Grizzlies, the Warriors announced that forward Jordan Bell has been suspended for a single game. According to the Warriors, Bell, who will serve the suspension tonight, was suspended for, “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Warriors forward Jordan Bell suspended pic.twitter.com/jyWuawBxEO
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) March 27, 2019
It has not been an easy season for Bell, who, with the addition of DeMarcus Cousins and Jonas Jerebko – despite the season-ending pectoral injury to Damian Jones – has found himself firmly at the end of the Warriors’ front court rotation.
Earlier in the season, Bell was caught in a shouting match with head coach Steve Kerr on January 21, during a timeout in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bell, a 24-year-old in his second year in the league, had to be calmed by Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry following the incident.
Steve Kerr and Jordan Bell having a heated exchange during the timeout ? pic.twitter.com/euQYdZueMU
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 22, 2019
After the game, Kerr called the incident “a total misinterpretation of something I said.”
Kerr said the heated discussion with Bell is sorted out, “It was a total misinterpretation of something I said.” pic.twitter.com/sWGkoIh5Qm
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 22, 2019
There is no indication whatsoever that Bell’s suspension has anything to do with the prior incident, but Kerr has discussed Bell’s frustration at his limited minutes. All of Bell’s numbers have declined after a rookie year in which he averaged 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1 block in 14.2 minutes per game. In 11.4 minutes per game this season, he’s averaged 3.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game.