Metta World Peace in 2012,April

LOS ANGELES – Metta World Peace was subdued and contrite in the Los Angeles Lakers' locker room, apologizing to Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden for throwing the elbow that sent them both to the locker room in the second quarter of the Lakers' 114-106 double-overtime victory.

World Peace had just dunked over Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka on a fast break and was headed back upcourt when he ran into Harden. While pounding his chest with his right arm, World Peace raised his left elbow over Harden's shoulder and cleanly hit Harden in the back of the skull.

Harden dropped to the court and stayed down for about a minute before heading to the locker room. Ibaka and other Thunder players challenged World Peace but were kept apart, and World Peace was ejected on a flagrant foul-2 after the referees reviewed the tape.

MORE: Lakers rally to top Thunder in double OT PHOTOS: Top shots from the week in NBA action PHOTOS: Cheerleaders from the NBA hardwood The NBA will review the play, and if Harden is out for any length of time, that could affect the length of what in all likelihood will be a suspension for World Peace.

"I got real emotional and excited, and it was unfortunate that James had to get hit with the unintentional elbow,"

said World Peace, who had scored 12 points and played solid defense on Durant. "I hope he's OK. Oklahoma, they're playing for a championship this year. I apologize to the Thunder and James Harden. It was just unfortunate."

Bryant and other Lakers acknowledged World Peace is likely to face a multi-game suspension with one game left in their regular season.