NBA Playoffs 2014: Nene facing one-game suspension for head-butting Jimmy Butler

Apr 25, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Nene received two technical fouls and was ejected. The Bulls won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Nene received two technical fouls and was ejected. The Bulls won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Nene received two technical fouls and was ejected. The Bulls won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Nene received two technical fouls and was ejected. The Bulls won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

After his head-butt on Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler got him ejected from Game 3 on Friday night, Washington Wizards big man Nene may be sitting out all go Game 4 as well. While no official word has come down from the leagues office, Mike Wise of The Washington Post is reporting that a one game suspension is what Nene is facing following the incident.

Should he get a one game ban, Nene would be letting his team down when they need him the most and could see five seconds of enraged passion lead to the series becoming tied 2-2. The Bulls have had no answer for Nene in this series and it’s hard to say they would have won Game 3 if Nene had been out there.

He wasn’t and the Bulls ultimately won in dramatic fashion and the loss of Nene was felt at the worst time. Hopefully for the Wizards either Nene doesn’t get suspended or they can find a way to win without him but that head-butt we saw in Game 3 may be a turning point in this series.