Jason Kidd wasn't acquired for this.

A frustrated Kidd watched most of the fourth quarter of Sunday's Game 4 against New Orleans from the locker room. He was ejected after being called for a flagrant-2 foul on Jannero Pargo with 7:16 remaining.

"That's the official's call," Kidd said following the Mavericks' 97-84 loss to the Hornets. "I wasn't trying to hurt [Pargo]. I was just trying to stop him from getting an easy layup and send him to the free throw line."

And if the automatic ejection for a flagrant-2 foul wasn't frustrating enough, Kidd's final stats in the critical playoff loss were arid. He finished with three points, four rebounds and three assists and connected on only 1-of-6 from the field.

Kidd, expected to be a leader following the trade from New Jersey, had one of his worst statistical efforts in what possibly was the Mavericks' last home game of the season.

"It was just a tough night," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "It's been a tough series for him, but he's trying hard."

Kidd disputed the fourth-quarter flagrant foul call, a play in which Pargo hit the ground hard. Kidd left the court to some cheers, some boos.

He now must wait to learn if the league will suspend him for Game 5.

"It was just a hard foul," Hornets guard Chris Paul said, "but I don't think there's a reason for him to be suspended for the next game."

"I saw a review of it. Kidd wasn't trying to hurt anybody," Johnson added. "I think he got caught in a bad position. It was just a tough call. By no means was he trying to injure Pargo."

Kidd's overall productivity has fizzled since Game 1, when he had 11 points and was a rebound and an assist short of a triple-double. He's scored 18 points combined in the three games since.

It was enough to make New Orleans coach Byron Scott scratch his head.

"Our scheme as far as making him a shooter has been pretty good," Scott said. "I don't think he took a lot of shots tonight."

The Mavericks' hopes to advance have hit a dangerous low, and the team may have to survive Tuesday without Kidd.

"He's our floor leader," forward Dirk Nowitzki said, "but if he's not there, we'll have to get it done without him."