According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles Kobe Bryant has been issued a flagrant foul from the league office. In the fourth quarter of Game 5 Kobe Bryant committed a foul on New Orleans center Emeka Okafor. The foul was originally called a personal foul and Okafor was rewarded with free throws.
After reviewing the call the league office has deemed the foul excessive and unnecessary, and has upgraded the foul from a personal foul to a flagrant foul.
New Orleans head coach Monty Williams has expressed his displeasure with the officiating this series, and stated that he felt Laker guard Shannon Brown should have been ejected Wednesday night following an elbow attempt.
Bryant is expected to play tonight in Game 6. The Lakers will have their first chance to close out the series and eliminate the Hornets in New Orleans.