Top 5 biggest NBA suspensions in league history featuring Latrell Sprewell, Ron Artest, and more

Many Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons players have been suspended without pay by the NBA in the aftermath of Moe Wagner and Killian Hayes' feisty physical altercation. Hayes landed a punch to the back of Wagner's head after the latter hip-checked him and shoved him into the Pistons' bench.

Wagner was momentarily unconscious before he escaped the huddle of the Magic and Pistons players. Detroit forward Hamidou Diallo also played an active role in that altercation. The NBA has suspended Hayes for three games, Wagner for two and Diallo for one game without pay.

Meanwhile, Magic players Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, Kevon Harris, Admiral Schofield, Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr. have also been suspended for one game without pay. The league issued their suspensions for leaving the bench amid an on-court altercation.

The incident was a rare instance in today's NBA. A couple of decades ago, brutal physical altercations and hefty suspensions were more frequent. Some players have missed 50+ games due to various offenses.

On that note, here's a look at the top five biggest suspensions in league history.

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#1 OJ Mayo - 164 games

OJ Mayo could rarely stay afar from off-court troubles during his basketball career. In only his third season, he was suspended for ten games due to a drug violation policy. Mayo was still an NBA-caliber player in 2016, but after his second drug violation, he was suspended for two seasons (164 games).

Mayo went abroad to continue his basketball journey and never found his way back into the NBA.

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#2 Ron Artest/Metta Sandiford-Artest (86 games)

Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly Ron Artest, was one of the most renowned players to get a 50+ game suspension. Artest was among the focal points of the infamous "Malice at the Palace" incident between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, arguably one of the biggest brawls that broke out in NBA history.

Artest physically fought the Pistons players and their fans after the altercation broke out. The league was in a tough spot with the situation and had to make a statement condemning this act on an NBA court. Artest already had a history of getting suspended due to a verbal altercation with fans, which contributed to him missing 86 games as punishment.

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#3 Latrell Sprewell (68 games)

Latrell Sprewell was suspended for engaging in a physical altercation. But it wasn't on the court. During his time with the Golden State Warriors, Sprewell, in an unusual situation, attacked his head coach PJ Carlesimo during practice after the latter criticized his passing ability.

Sprewell also attacked many of his fellow teammates before the incident. He was initially suspended for ten games before a massive public outcry led to the NBA suspending him for a whopping 68 games, while the Warriors voided his contract.

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#4 Gilbert Arenas (50 games)

Gilbert Arenas got suspended for one of the rarest offenses over the last two decades. Unlike many others on this list, it wasn't a physical violence or drug violation.

Arenas was suspended for 50 games for carrying an unlicensed gun to the locker room. DC police also charged Arenas with the offense after he pleaded guilty.

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#5 Javaris Crittenton (38 games)

Javaris Crittenton was in the same boat as Gilbert Arenas. The two Wizards teammates were found guilty of carrying unloaded guns in the locker room amid a confrontation due to a Christmas Eve argument over impending gambling debts.

Crittenton received a smaller suspension but was released by the Washington Wizards, unlike Arenas, upon their return.