The Dallas Mavericks suspended guard Rajon Rondo for one game for conduct detrimental to the team on Wednesday.
Head coach Rick Carlisle benched Rondo after the two exchanged words during a timeout early in the third quarter.
Toronto led 62-53 when Carlisle called out to Rondo, who was dribbling past midcourt. Carlisle then abruptly called time out. After the Dallas players in the game reached the bench area, Carlisle and Rondo had an animated conversation amid a crowd of players and coaches. Rondo didn't return to the game.
Carlisle said he and Rondo had a "difference of opinion." Asked if Rondo's absence was a coaching decision or disciplinary, Carlisle said Rondo didn't play again "because I'm the coach and that's the decision that I made at the time."
Asked if Rondo would be Dallas' point guard for Wednesday night's game at Atlanta, Carlisle said, "That's what we brought him here for."
Rondo didn't speak to the media in the locker room after the game. He played 17:45 and finished with four points, four assists, three fouls and two turnovers.
The team said he will serve the suspension Wednesday night at Atlanta.
