The NBA suspended Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn for two games and Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. for one, citing their roles in an on-court altercation during Saturday’s game in Houston.
Smith will miss Monday’s home game versus Portland, with veteran Jeff Green his likely replacement in Houston’s starting lineup.
From the league’s announcement:
Dunn was suspended two games without pay for initiating an altercation and throwing a punch at Smith Jr., who was suspended one game for fighting with Dunn, it was announced by Joe Dumars, executive vice president and head of basketball operations [for the NBA].
The incident, for which both were assessed technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 11:55 remaining in the second quarter of the Rockets’ 147-119 win over Utah.
Dunn will begin to serve his suspension on Monday, when the Jazz host Dallas. Smith Jr. will serve his suspension that night when the Rockets host Portland.
Extended video of the exchange can be viewed below, along with postgame comments by Dunn (audio) on his perspective. Smith was not made available to reporters by the Rockets, though he did react with “Lol” on social media shortly after Sunday’s announcement.
We got yet another Rockets fight — this time, it's Jabari Smith Jr. and Kris Dunn, the sequel pic.twitter.com/fRL6z8DIJf
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 24, 2024
Dunn: "I take responsibility of my actions, and whatever the league decides for me, I have to respect it."
He said he did not remember what happened between the two in January. Smith was not made available to reporters after the game. https://t.co/nQzIzvRvTI
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 24, 2024
Lol
— Jabari Smith Jr (@jabarismithjr) March 24, 2024
