Rockets' Marcus Smart suspended three games for punch
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- The NBA suspended Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart for three games without pay after he threw a punch at Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey during a game on Wednesday.
- The incident occurred late in the third quarter when Smart grazed Bassey's nose with a right hook, leading to a flagrant foul 2 and ejection from the game.
- Smart will miss upcoming games against the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Miami Heat as a result of the suspension.
- Rockets coach Ime Udoka stated Smart claimed the altercation stemmed from a bent elbow injury and provocation from Bassey, while Bassey accused Smart of playing dirty and exhibiting "fake toughness."
- The Rockets currently hold a 9-3 record and are third in the Western Conference, with Smart averaging 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals over nine games this season.
