Pacers suspend assistant coach Greg Foster, fine Goga Bitadze for verbal altercation

Following a verbal altercation during Wednesday night's game against the Sacramento Kings, the Indiana Pacers disciplined assistant coach Greg Foster and center Goga Bitadze.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Foster will be suspended for one game, while Bitadze will be fined for their confrontation during the third quarter of Indiana's loss. Foster will serve his suspension during Indiana's game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.

After a timeout was called, Foster began yelling at Bitadze as he approached the bench, with several players and coaches stepping in to separate the two. The argument seemed to begin when Foster called out the second-year center for giving up a dunk. Bitadze then hit a three-pointer and, according to sources, turned to Foster and told him to "sit the f--- down."

Sources say that the two have worked closely together this season and that both are looking "to move past the incident." However, this seems to further point to the dysfunction and frustration that has been building in Indiana. First-year head coach Nate Bjorkgren has seemingly failed to earn the respect of his players and staff, which has him on the hot seat as the season comes to a close.