NBA-Anthony ejected for flagrant foul as Knicks fall to Hawks

Dec 29 ( Reuters) - New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was ejected for a flagrant foul during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday as tempers flared again in the National Basketball Association.

The nine-times All-Star was given his marching orders in the second quarter for hitting Atlanta's Thabo Sefolosha in the head with his right hand as they jostled anticipating a rebound.

Anthony did not speak to the media afterwards, but Sefolosha pulled no metaphorical punches.

"He punched me," the Swiss said, according to ESPN. "That was a fist right to my face."

The Hawks beat the Knicks 102-98 in overtime.

It was the second ejection this season for Anthony, the previous coming against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 11.

Anthony's ejection came after a spiteful game on Tuesday between Houston and Dallas finished with eight flagrant fouls called.

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)