Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart was ejected from Wednesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors for throwing a punch at opponent Charles Bassey. The incident occurred late in the third quarter of the Rockets' 115-108 victory at Toyota Center. Bassey did not retaliate physically but delivered sharp criticism afterward, calling Smart's actions "weak" and accusing him of "fake toughness." Smart was assessed a flagrant-2 foul for the punch, which carries an automatic ejection, and is likely facing a suspension.
"He's been playing dirty the whole game," the Warriors forward said of Smart. "I remember in the first half, I was trying to set a screen where he grabbed my knees. So, I mean, he was playing dirty." Bassey described the sequence leading to the punch, saying he was trying to get a rebound when Smart grabbed his hand. "And then he got up on me and just swung. Obviously, that was weak as (expletive) ... I just think that was, honestly, fake toughness." When asked if he was surprised, Bassey said, "It didn't surprise me, I knew he was going to do something. I baited for him to do something because I knew he was going to do something."
What happened on the play?
The altercation began when Bassey and Smart became tangled while fighting for a rebound on a Warriors offensive possession. As the Rockets gained possession and began to transition up the court, Smart chased after Bassey from behind. The Rockets guard made contact, swung around to Bassey's front, and threw a straight right punch toward the head area. The punch appeared to miss making major contact before players from both teams quickly intervened to separate the pair. Smart almost immediately removed his elbow sleeve and walked straight to the locker room, knowing he was ejected.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka provided Smart's explanation after the game. "I just talked to [Smart]. He said they got wrapped up, and [Smart]'s elbow that he hurt got bent up," Udoka said. "So, [Smart] said something to him. Bassey said, 'What are you going to do?' And he did it." The ejection was the 13th of Smart's NBA career.
What did Bassey say after the game?
Bassey expanded on his criticism of Smart in his postgame media availability, questioning the veteran guard's intent to play. "I don't think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to get himself out of the game," Bassey said. "If he was trying to play, he wouldn't do that. I think he was trying to chill. He wasn't trying to hoop, bro. That was fake, fake toughness." He reiterated that he felt Smart was provoking him throughout the contest. When asked if he said anything to set Smart off, Bassey explained, "He said something to me. He said something like, 'Hey, don't do that.' I said, 'Do what?' It's a grown-man's league."
What is the likely punishment for Smart?
The NBA rule book mandates a suspension for any player who throws a punch and makes contact, according to CBS Sports. While the punch appeared to graze Bassey, the act itself is subject to league review. Smart will be suspended for at least one game and will forfeit a portion of his salary. The incident overshadowed other game events, including an injury to Warriors star Stephen Curry, who left in the first quarter with abdominal soreness and did not return. The loss also snapped Golden State's eight-game winning streak.
Bassey finished the game with seven points and six rebounds for the Warriors. Smart, in his first season with Houston, had six points and two rebounds before his ejection. Rockets forward Kevin Durant scored 20 points in the win. The Rockets, now 9-3, are scheduled to host the Utah Jazz on Friday. The 8-4 Warriors will face the San Antonio Spurs the same night.
