NEW YORK -- Another flagrant foul, another suspension for Ron Artest.

	Artest

For the second time in less than a week, the Indiana Pacers forward was suspended for one game without pay after committing a flagrant foul-penalty (1) against Philadelphia 76ers guard Eric Snow with 7:04 remaining in the fourth period of the Pacers' 96-93 loss to the Sixers on Wednesday, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson announced Thursday.

Artest's one-game suspension was automatic as a result of having previously exceeded the maximum allowable five flagrant foul-penalty points for the season. He now has seven flagrant foul-penalty points.

Artest will miss the Pacers' home game against the Utah Jazz on Friday. He also sat out the team's loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Artest left the locker room before the media was allowed in after Wednesday's game. Head coach Isiah Thomas defended his player.

"There's definitely concern because we've lost a lot of close games because of perceived flagrant fouls or perceived technical fouls," Thomas said. "Somehow we've gained a reputation."

Thomas pins the blame for the close officiating on Dallas coach Don Nelson.

According to Thomas, Nelson has been publicly critical of what he perceives as rough play by the Pacers.

"I have to give Don Nelson a lot of credit, he really put it to us,'' said Thomas. "I think our games are definitely officiated differently now. Nellie, you're the best."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.