Orlando Magic guard Steve Francis refused head coach Brian Hill's orders to re-enter Wednesday's game late in the fourth quarter at Seattle, resulting in his indefinite suspension from the team, a team source said Thursday.

Frustrated with his increasingly diminished role in the offense and the lopsided score at the time, Francis defied Hill's request that he check back in to the 113-104 loss to the Sonics.

The head coach and point guard had words on the bench and then again later in the locker room, the source said.

Thursday, Francis was informed by assistant general manager Otis Smith that he was suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team," and booted from the Magic's road trip.

Francis played a season-low 27 minutes Wednesday, scoring just 10 points and turning the ball over six times.

The incident between Francis and Hill started with 3:22 left in the game and the Magic trailing Seattle 103-87. When starting small forward Hedo Turkoglu fouled out, video footage from Fox Sports Northwest showed Hill pointing to Francis to check into the game.

However, the point guard shook his head, said something to Hill and did not get up from the bench. Hill approached Francis and the two continued to talk. Stacey Augmon replaced Turkoglu.

"He wouldn't go back into the game," said the source, who requested anonymity.

Smith confirmed Thursday that it was an in-game incident and another episode after the game that led to the indefinite suspension, but he declined to go into details.

Francis and agent Jeff Fried are expected to meet Monday with head coach Brian Hill and assistant general managers Dave Twardzik and Smith.

Via Florida Today

Orlando Magic

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