Ty Lawson (ankle) has been suspended for three games by the NBA following a guilty plea for a DUI arrest in July, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com reports.

Lawson (ankle) has been suspended for three games by the NBA following a guilty plea for a DUI arrest in July, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis:

Lawson already served a two-game suspension earlier this season for a DUI arrest in January, but this is a completely separate arrest and it will force him to sit out three games. The suspension is effective immediately, so he'll remain sidelined until the Rockets' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan 13th. Lawson was already dealing with an ankle injury prior to the suspension, but was nearing a return, so he should be fully healthy and ready to play as soon as his suspension is over. With Lawson out the next three games, look for Jason Terry to back up Patrick Beverley at the point, while Marcus Thornton could see some extended time in the backcourt as well.