By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA handed Houston Rockets combo guard Marcus Smart a three-game suspension on Thursday following a late-third-quarter scuffle against the Golden State Warriors.
Per the press release: “Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart has been suspended three games without pay for throwing a punch that made contact with the face of Golden State Warriors forward-center Charles Bassey, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
The incident, for which Smart was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 0:21 remaining in the third quarter of the Rockets’ 115-108 win over the Warriors on Nov. 11 at Toyota Center.
Smart will begin serving his suspension on Nov. 13 when the Rockets host the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center.”
After getting tangled up under the basket, Smart chased Charles Bassey to the top of the key. The two went chest-to-chest before the 32-year-old swung a right hook that grazed Bassey’s nose. Officials reviewed the play, called a Flagrant 2 foul, and tossed the veteran from the arena.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka later explained that Smart reacted after Bassey bent his injured elbow during the rebound battle. Bassey offered a different view in the visiting locker room. He accused the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 of playing dirty all evening and admitted to provoking the swing on purpose.
Smart starts serving the ban on Friday night when Houston hosts the Utah Jazz to resume action in the 2026–27 Regular Season, in a fixture that also counts toward Emirates NBA Cup 2026.
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