Lakers teammates are forgiven for a little pushing and shoving on-court. The game gets physical sometimes.

But police in New Orleans, where the Lakers played the Hornets and are tied 2-2 in a Western Conference playoff series, say rookie reserve forward Darrick Caracter pushed an IHOP cashier early Sunday morning, ostensibly because she wouldn't serve his allegedly drunk ass.

He was arrested on suspicion of …

… battery, disturbing the peace, being drunk in public and resisting an officer's orders, according to a statement from New Orleans police.

He was jailed and released but didn't play in Sunday night's loss to the Hornets.

Cops say he “he grabbed and shoved a pregnant cashier at the IHOP Restaurant in the 800 block of Canal Street.”

But an New Orleans police spokesman told the Weekly that “the lady was not pregnant” after all.

Still, it appears the player might have gone off after he was refused service at 1 a.m. Sunday because, according to NOLA cops …

… He was obviously drunk, unruly and started harassing the pregnant cashier. One officer was called to the restaurant, and attempted to diffuse the situation. But Caracter was uncooperative, so that officer called in back-up. Caracter continued to be belligerent with police and was subsequently arrested.

Cops are trying to get their hands on security video so they can see the replay.

And, by the way, Derrick, way to prepare for the playoffs. We're down for celebration as much as anyone (believe us), but this is the big leagues, man.

Save it for after the championship. If you win again the Weekly will buy you a Grand Slam breakfast. Just don't hurt us.

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