Magic guard Francis gets boot for kicking photographer

PORTLAND – Orlando Magic guard Steve Francis was suspended indefinitely without pay Saturday by the NBA for kicking a courtside photographer during the fourth quarter of Friday night’s game in Seattle.

Francis missed Orlando’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night and his availability for Monday’s game in Charlotte is still in question. Stu Jackson, the NBA’s senior vice president of basketball operations, handed down the suspension and is reviewing the incident. He is expected to announce the length of the suspension by today.

The incident happened in the fourth quarter of the Magic’s 98-90 loss to the Sonics. Francis had his layup attempt blocked by Rashard Lewis and he fell out of bounds and into NBA photographer Jeff Reinking.

Reinking told NBA security that Francis kicked him with both legs, something Francis disputes.

“He threw my legs down, man,” Francis said. “That was it.”

Asked if he kicked at Reinking, Francis said: “No. I don’t know what happened.”

Veteran NBA referee Bob Delaney went over to check on Reinking following the incident. Fans at Seattle’s Key Arena booed Francis the next time he touched the ball, an indication that many of them saw the incident involving Reinking.

Francis accompanied the Magic from Seattle to Portland Friday night and was interviewed by NBA security in the morning. He remained back at the team hotel and was not available for comment.

Francis leads the Magic in scoring (21.4 ppg) and assists (6.9), but he also ranks second in the NBA in turnovers (262) and third in technical fouls (18).