Metta World Peace retroactively given flagrant foul, near suspension

The NBA has retroactively given Metta World Peace a flagrant foul for a play in Denver against the Nuggets on Monday.

In the final seconds of the third quarter, World Peace connected with an elbow to what looks like the face of Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried. No foul was called live by the officials (which would have meant an ejection), but the league upgraded the call on review.

World Peace now leads the league in flagrant foul points with five, tied with teammate Dwight Howard.

If either commits even a Flagrant 1, the lesser offense, they will face a one-game suspension. A Flagrant 2 would result in a mandatory two-game suspension.

Howard’s last flagrant foul was Jan. 13 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. No other Lakers have been called for flagrant fouls this season.

The flagrant foul count starts over in the playoffs, assuming the Lakers qualify.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.