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Marcus Smart suspended for three games after punching Bassey

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 07:02 · Archive

Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart received a three-game NBA suspension after punching Golden State Warriors centre Charles Bassey.

The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 115-108 on Wednesday night in Houston. Late in the third quarter, with 21 seconds remaining, Marcus Smart and Charles Bassey tangled up fighting for position during a Warriors possession. As play continued down the court, the two continued jawing at each other. Smart then turned and threw a punch that grazed Bassey's nose. Officials assessed Smart a Flagrant 2 foul, and he was ejected. Smart did not wait for the replay review to finish before walking toward the locker room.

The NBA suspended Smart without pay on Thursday for three games. He will miss Houston's games against the Utah Jazz on Friday, the Washington Wizards on Sunday and the Miami Heat on Monday, and will become eligible to return on 18 November against the Indiana Pacers. Smart was averaging 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and two assists in nine games as a reserve for the Rockets.

Bassey kept his arms by his side during the entire exchange and did not retaliate. After the game, he said the punch was 'weak' and called it 'fake toughness'. He alleged that Smart had been playing dirty throughout the game, claiming the guard had grabbed his knee while he was setting a screen in the first half.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka offered Smart's version of events. According to Udoka, Smart said Bassey had wrapped up Smart's previously injured elbow during the tangle. When Smart confronted him about it, Bassey allegedly replied, 'What you gonna do?' Udoka said Smart then responded with the punch.

The incident came on a difficult night for the Warriors. Stephen Curry left in the first quarter with right abdominal soreness and did not return. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game that 'concern is high' about the injury, though he had no information about its extent. Curry was due to have an MRI. The loss ended Golden State's eight-game winning streak. Draymond Green said the team's spirit was better than last season and believed the Warriors could better absorb Curry's absence.

Marcus Smart suspended for three games after punching Bassey
Image: Fox News

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In this story: Marcus Smart · Charles Bassey · Golden State Warriors · Houston Rockets · Stephen Curry · Steve Kerr · Ime Udoka

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log