NBA Houston's Smart suspended for 3 games for punching opponent
Golden State's Charles Bassey is ejected for swinging a fist and forfeits part of his salary
Quick Look
- Marcus Smart of the NBA's Houston Rockets was suspended for three games for punching Charles Bassey of the Golden State Warriors.
- He will miss the games against Utah on the 14th, Washington on the 16th, and Miami on the 17th, and will forfeit his annual salary of about $125,500.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
While playing for the Boston Celtics, Smart was suspended for one game in 2015 for striking Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs in the groin, and was suspended for another game in 2021 for making threatening comments to a referee. Including these cases, he was fined more than 12 times, at least 4 of which were for involvement in physical fights.
Marcus Smart of the NBA's Houston Rockets was suspended for three games after punching an opposing player.
According to the Associated Press, the NBA office imposed this disciplinary action on Smart, who was ejected for punching Charles Bassey of the Golden State Warriors on the 13th (Korean time).
Smart will not be able to play in the home game against the Utah Jazz on the 14th, the away game against the Washington Wizards on the 16th, and the away game against the Miami Heat on the 17th. They do not even receive a portion of their annual salary, which is about $125,500 (about 160 million won).
Smart shook his fist at Bassey with 21 seconds left in the third quarter during a home game against Golden State on the 12th.
The referee sent Smart off after reviewing the video. The referee explained, “There was contact in the nose area.”
Bassey told reporters after the game that Smart played "dirty" throughout the game.
“I wasn’t surprised. I knew he was going to do something,” Bassey said. “I don’t think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to get out of the game. It was fake toughness.”
Houston coach Ime Udoka shared what he had with Smart after the game. According to him, Smart felt provoked by his entanglement with Bash.
Coach Udoka said, “Bash said, ‘What are you going to do?’ That’s why Smart did that.”
Smart has a history of being disciplined several times for rough behavior.
In 2015, while playing for the Boston Celtics, he was suspended for one game for striking Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs in the groin, and in 2021, he was suspended for another game for making threatening comments to a referee.
AP reported that, including these cases, he was fined more than 12 times. At least four of these were received in connection with physical fights.
Smart previously received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Hustle Award, which is given to a player who plays dedicated defense. In 2022, he received an award from the NBA for his work helping pediatric cancer patients and student athletes from low-income families in the city.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Smart will serve his three-game suspension and return to action on the 17th.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Smart appeal his three-game suspension?
- Will there be further disciplinary action against Charles Bassey?
- Smart's future competition plans
