Marcus Smart suspended for throwing punch that made contact with Warriors player's face - USA Today

Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart has been suspended for "throwing a punch that made contact with the face" of opponent Charles Bassey during Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors.

The NBA released a statement on Thursday, Nov. 12 announcing the Rockets guard is being suspended three games without pay for the incident.

The night before, Smart grazed the face of Bassey when he threw a punch with 21 seconds left in the third quarter after the whistle was blown for a separate foul. Their arms had been caught in each other during a play and, when game play was stopped, Smart seemingly snapped.

After the punch was thrown, players from both teams got in a scuffle and, as the scene was broken up, the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year started walking to the locker room. It seemed as if he was sure he would be given a flagrant foul 2 and ejected from the game, which, after a review, he was.

Just before the incident, Smart and Bassey got tangled up under the rim when trying to box out during a Warriors possession. The two continued to jaw at each other up the floor. Then, when play halted, Smart squared up and threw a right-handed hook that nearly landed on Bassey’s cheek. Bassey had moved his head backward to avoid contact. Officials later said that Smart made contact to Bassey’s nose.

After the game, which the Rockets won 115-108, Bassey criticized Smart for his "fake toughness."

Houston head coach Ime Udoka also addressed the incident and shared Smart's side of the story.

"Marcus, I just talked to him, he said they got wrapped up and his elbow that he had hurt got bent up," the coach said. "And so he said something to him and Bassey said, 'What you going to do?' and he did it."

The former Oklahoma State standout will miss the Rockets' next three games due to his suspension. Houston faces the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat.

Smart's suspension will be lifted to play in the road game against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Smart is averaging 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal per game this season, his first with the Rockets.

He had six points, two rebounds and an assist before being booted from the Warriors matchup.

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