Lakers' Matt Barnes takes his medicine after being suspended

Matt Barnes was on the telephone, sounding nothing like the player who had gone on Twitter and blasted the Dallas Mavericks and Jason Terry.

This Barnes was contrite during a phone interview Friday about his one-game suspension handed down by the NBA for his role in an altercation during Thursday night's Lakers victory over Dallas at Staples Center.

Barnes didn't play Friday night against the Utah Jazz and it cost him $17,650.

"To be suspended for pushing somebody is a little frustrating," Barnes said. "But I let my temper get the best of me last night and I deserve the punishment."

The pushing began early in the fourth quarter after Terry shoved Steve Blake down on the court for a foul.

Blake got up and went chest to chest with Terry. Barnes stepped in, pushing Terry. When Dallas assistant coach Terry Stotts tried to wrap up Barnes, he was pushed aside and fell onto courtside seats.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson wasn't happy with Barnes.

"He's definitely going to have to check that stuff at the door when it comes to the playoffs," Jackson said. "You don't want to play short-handed in the playoffs. Third-partying is not a way to step things in the right direction."

Jackson said the "valor" in standing up for a teammate is something "that we admire," but it can be costly.

Jackson was asked how an emotional player like Barnes can control himself during heated games.

"He may not be able to," Jackson said. "But we're going to ask him to. And that's what you have to do."