Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy has escaped a suspension for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The best-of-seven series gets underway Monday night in Cleveland.
Dunleavy made contact with Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams’ jaw during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Thursday night in the Bulls’ 120-66 route to close out the series.
The NBA announced Saturday that Dunleavy’s contact with Carter-Williams, at 11.05 of the first period, has been upgraded to a Flagrant-1 foul. No foul was originally called on the play.
The Game 6 margin was the largest ever in an NBA playoff-series clincher, and it was the fourth largest in postseason history. Dunleavy had his best game of the playoffs in Game 6, scoring 20 points in 28 minutes.
Dunleavy sent Carter-Williams to the locker room with a shove that went unnoticed by the officials. Carter-Williams returned late in the second quarter and finished with three points.
The Bucks took their frustration out on Dunleavy throughout the game. Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was ejected after picking up a Flagrant-2 foul late in the second quarter when he tackled Dunleavy after he hit a 3-point shot.
The NBA announced that Antetokounmpo has been suspended one game without pay for running over Dunleavy. The incident occurred with 1:34 remaining in the second quarter.
Antetokounmpo will be suspended for the first game of the 2015-16 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.
Carter-Williams was called for a Flagrant-1 foul in the third quarter after hitting Dunleavy in the groin and near the face.