Rockets Guard Marcus Smart Suspended Three Games for Punching Warriors Center Charles Bassey
Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart received a three-game suspension from the NBA after throwing a punch at Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey during Wednesday's game.
🏀NBA & WNBAPhoto: The Athletic
Key points
- Marcus Smart suspended 3 games by the NBA for punching Charles Bassey.
- Incident occurred Wednesday during Houston's 115-108 win over the Warriors.
- Smart will miss games against the Jazz, Wizards, and Heat.
Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart has been handed a three-game suspension by the NBA for throwing a punch that made contact with the face of Golden State Warriors big man Charles Bassey, the league announced on Thursday. The incident occurred with just 21 seconds left in the third quarter of Houston's 115-108 victory over the Warriors, resulting in a Flagrant 2 foul and an immediate ejection for Smart, who walked straight into the tunnel.
Speaking to reporters after the contest, Rockets coach Ime Udoka explained that the altercation stemmed from the players getting tangled up, which aggravated an elbow injury Smart had previously sustained. Bassey offered a different perspective following the game, stating he deliberately provoked Smart and labeling the veteran guard's actions as "fake toughness."
Smart will begin serving his three-game ban on Friday when the Rockets welcome the Utah Jazz to town. He will additionally sit out matchups against the Washington Wizards on Sunday and the Miami Heat on Monday.
What to watch next: How the Rockets manage their backcourt rotation during Smart's three-game absence starting Friday against the Jazz.
Source The Athletic — nytimes.com/athletic/7776121/2026/11/12/marcus-smart-suspended-punc… ↗
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