Rockets' Smart ejected for throwing punch at Warriors' Bassey
Michael C. WrightNov 12, 2026, 12:18 AM ET
- Joined ESPN in 2010
- Previously covered Bears for ESPN.com
- Played college football at West Texas A&M
HOUSTON -- Rockets guard Marcus Smart was ejected Wednesday night for throwing a right hook that grazed the nose of Golden State Warriors center Charles Bassey.
Smart declined to wait around for the official review -- which ruled the contact a flagrant foul 2, an automatic ejection -- and instead headed straight to the locker room after the punch.
With 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Rockets guard Amen Thompson barreled to the rim for a transition bucket that put Houston ahead 82-76. In the aftermath of the play, Smart and Bassey stood face to face jawing as Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg attempted to separate them.
Smart threw a right hook that grazed Bassey's nose as he stepped back to slip the punch. The incident took place right in front of referee Mitchell Ervin. Thompson, Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski quickly intervened to separate the players along with referee Brandon Adair.
After a review of the play, Ervin announced that Smart would be assessed a flagrant 2 for "contact to the nose" of Bassey.
Smart, 32, played 16 minutes, tallying 6 points, 2 rebounds and an assist in the Rockets' 115-108 win.
The 12-year veteran joined Houston over the summer in free agency, and is averaging 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals over nine games with one start.
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