INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers coach Isiah Thomas was suspended for two games Saturday by the NBA for his role in a fight between two players during a loss to Toronto.

Thomas, along with the Pacers' Al Harrington and Toronto's Morris Peterson were ejected following the 102-90 victory Friday night, two days after the Pacers' Ron Artest received a four-game suspension for his run-in with Miami coach Pat Riley.

"Coaches are allowed on the floor as peacemakers during an altercation, not as combatants,'' said Stu Jackson, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations. "Coach Thomas did not act as peacemaker during this incident.''

Thomas, Indiana's third-year coach, missed Saturday's game against Boston and will miss Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Assistant Brendan Malone is the interim coach.

Pacers president Donnie Walsh said Thomas was "stunned'' when he learned of the suspension before the game.

"I don't know why he was suspended for two games, I really don't,'' Walsh said.

Harrington approached Peterson in an aggressive manner after Peterson tripped him up on a fast break with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter.

Peterson appeared to throw a punch, and a shoving match ensued. Thomas ran onto the court and tried to get at Peterson, but Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens held Thomas back.

Walsh said Peterson cursed at Thomas, causing him to take a step toward him.

No action was taken against Harrington or Peterson.

Thomas will not coach again until he leads the Eastern Conference in next weekend's All-Star game. He'll be eligible to coach the Pacers again on Feb. 11 against Cleveland.