EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been suspended for the first five games of next season for his flagrant foul on Dallas guard J.J. Barea in Los Angeles’ final playoff game.

The NBA announced the suspension Tuesday, two days after Bynum was ejected for the foul in the two-time defending champions’ 36-point loss to the Mavericks in Game 4.

The NBA also fined Bynum $25,000 for “removing his jersey and the manner in which he left the court.” The infraction will cost him $702,272 overall, including the fine.

Bynum expressed remorse for his actions Tuesday, saying his actions were terrible and unacceptable.

“My actions … don’t represent me, my upbringing, this franchise or any of the Laker fans out there that want to watch us and want us to succeed,” Bynum said.

“Furthermore, and more importantly, I want to actually apologize to J.J. Barea for doing that. I’m just glad that he wasn’t seriously injured in the event and all I can say is, I’ve looked at [the replay], it’s terrible and it definitely won’t be happening again.

Charles Barkley stated the suspension is outrageous. “They y should have suspended him 2 games at the most.”