Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart was suspended three games without pay by the NBA for throwing a punch that made contact with the face of Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey during a game at the Toyota Center.
The physical confrontation occurred with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Houston’s 115-108 victory on Nov. 11. After the two players tangled on the court, Smart stepped back and delivered a right-hand blow that grazed Bassey’s nose in front of referee Mitchell Ervin.
Officials reviewed the play and assessed Smart a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in his immediate ejection. Smart walked off the court and headed straight to the locker room before referees officially announced the ruling.
Before the ejection, the contest featured intense action, including Golden State losing star guard Stephen Curry in the first quarter due to right abdominal soreness. Curry finished with three points before heading to the locker room and did not return. “Concern is high. But I have no idea the extent,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, regarding the injury, and the guard was scheduled to undergo an MRI.
Ime Udoka said Marcus Smart told him that Charles Bassey wrapped up Smart's elbow and when Smart said something to him about it, "Bassey said, 'What you gonna do?' And he did it."
Even prior to Curry’s departure, the Warriors played without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody due to knee injuries, while center Kristaps Porziņģis stepped away from basketball entirely over an undisclosed health issue.
Kevin Durant scored 20 points, while Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson added 19 points each as the Rockets snapped Golden State’s eight-game winning streak. In Curry’s absence, Yaxel Lendeborg led the Warriors with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Brandin Podziemski contributed 22 points.
Warriors big Charles Bassey described Marcus Smart as “fake toughness”. Repeated it multiple times during his postgame availability. “He’s been playing dirty the whole game. I don’t think he was trying to play, I think he was trying to get kicked out of the game.”
Bassey Criticizes Smart for Playing Dirty During the Game
Speaking to reporters after the game, Bassey criticized Smart’s actions and claimed the veteran guard played aggressively throughout the matchup.
He’s been playing dirty the whole game, man. I remember in the first half, I was trying to set a screen. Bro, he grabbed my knees. He was playing dirty.
Charles Bassey, Golden State Warriors center, via NBC Sports Bay Area & California
Bassey also dismissed the punch itself, characterizing it as weak. “I just think that, honestly, that was fake toughness,” he said, per ESPN reporting. According to Bassey, the verbal exchange began when Smart told him not to do something, to which Bassey replied that it was a “grown-man’s league.”
Marcus Smart was assessed a flagrant 2 and ejected after throwing a punch at Charles Bassey. pic.twitter.com/50qOhVowK3
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka offered his perspective after speaking with Smart in the locker room.
I just talked to [Smart]. He said they got wrapped up, and [Smart]’s elbow that he hurt got bent up. So, [Smart] said something to him. Bassey said, ‘What are you going to do?’ And he did it.
Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets head coach, via CBS Sports
Draymond Green addressed the skirmish and praised teammates for stepping in to defend Charles Bassey, emphasizing the importance of team unity.
Yeah, that’s how this gon’ be. You up against one, you up against all. That’s the way we rocking. So, love the way that all the guys got in the mix. We always talk about that.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors forward, via Associated Press
Financial Impact and Roster Implications for Houston
The three-game penalty will cost Smart $125,462 in forfeited salary.
Teams receive a tax variance credit equal to 50 percent of a suspended player’s lost salary. Consequently, the Rockets are set to receive a tax variance credit of $62,731.
3 game suspension for Marcus Smart will cost the guard $125,462. Houston will receive a tax variance credit or $62,731. They were $14,077 below the tax prior to the suspension.
Entering the transaction just $14,077 below the luxury tax line after carefully managing offseason spending, Houston’s cushion below the luxury tax line will increase from $14,077 to $76,808.
Smart Misses Games Before Returning on Nov. 18
Smart began serving his three-game suspension without pay on Nov. 13 when the Rockets hosted the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center. He will also miss upcoming away games against the Washington Wizards and the Miami Heat.
Marcus Smart just threw a punch at Charles Bassey pic.twitter.com/OlAX9OogZ1
The 12-year veteran will be eligible to return to the lineup when Houston faces the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 18.
Charles Bassey on Marcus Smart throwing a punch at him: “Fake toughness.” “I don’t think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to get himself out of the game.” pic.twitter.com/ZxbgvUDeY9
More on Houston Rockets
The NBA is suspending Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart for three games for punching Golden State center Charles Bassey on Wednesday night, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/QOQFFyBd7I
Marcus Smart has been suspended 3 games after his altercation with Charles Bassey last night pic.twitter.com/dzhNYclAyZ
MARCUS SMART EJECTED AFTER THROWING A PUNCH AT CHARLES BASSEY 😳🚨 pic.twitter.com/PR4n8TInFk
