Marcus Smart ejected after punch in Rockets’ win

Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart was ejected in the third quarter of the team’s 115-108 win over the Golden State Warriors after throwing a punch at center Charles Bassey. Officials reviewed the incident and assessed Smart a Flagrant 2 foul, which carries an automatic ejection. The NBA league office was reviewing the play for possible further discipline, according to reporting after the game; no additional penalty had been confirmed.

The confrontation came with 21 seconds left in the third quarter. Smart and Bassey became tangled as Rockets guard Amen Thompson drove toward the basket, then exchanged words. Smart swung at Bassey, who moved his head. The referee crew chief, Mitchell Ervin, said the reviewed foul involved contact with Bassey’s nose. Players from both teams moved in, and officials separated the two. Bassey was not assessed a technical foul and made one of two free throws awarded after the Flagrant 2 ruling.

Bassey said after the game that Smart had played dirty during the contest. He cited an incident in the first half when, according to Bassey, Smart grabbed his knee as he tried to set a screen, and said Smart later grabbed his hand. Bassey also said he had...