NEW YORK (Reuters) - Denver Nuggets coach George Karl was suspended for two games without pay by the National Basketball Association on Wednesday for publicly criticizing officials.

Stu Jackson, the NBA's senior vice president basketball operations, made the announcement of the suspension as a result of Karl's actions on Monday.

Karl made his comments after Denver's 101-92 loss to the New Jersey Nets, which the league said "attacked the integrity of the officials."

The Nuggets coach served the first game of his suspension on Wednesday when the club hosted New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

He will serve the second game on Friday when the club visits the Phoenix Suns.