PHOENIX — The NBA suspended Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart for three games on Thursday for throwing a punch that made contact with the face of Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey, the league announced, according to CBS Sports.
The incident happened late in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game in Houston. After the two players got tangled up, Smart chased down Bassey and swung at him, CBS Sports reported. Smart was ejected with a flagrant 2 foul. Houston won the game 115-108.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka said after the game that Smart told him his previously injured elbow got bent when the two got wrapped up, and words were exchanged before the punch.
Bassey said Smart had been playing rough all game. “Obviously that was weak,” Bassey told reporters. “I think that was, honestly, fake toughness.”
Smart has 12 ejections and two previous suspensions across his 13-year career, according to CBS Sports.
The 9-3 Rockets will be without Smart for games against the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat, all of whom are below .500.
Sources: CBS Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
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