The suspensions of Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal infuriated the Pacers organization and prompted co-owner Herb Simon to issue a statement:

"While we do not condone some of the actions of the players involved, we do consider the action taken Sunday by the National Basketball Association to be unprecedented and inappropriate based on the circumstances. We believe that there was a rush to judgment and not enough opportunity to for all sides to be heard. We will vigorously support our players in an available appeal process to have these penalties reviewed and reduced. We owe that much to our players, our fans and our community."