Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart was ejected from Wednesday night’s 115-108 win over the Golden State Warriors after throwing a punch at center Charles Bassey.
The incident unfolded late in the third quarter, shortly after Amen Thompson scored in transition to extend Houston’s lead.
Smart and Bassey exchanged words before things escalated, with Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg attempting to separate the pair.
Status alert: Marcus Smart has been ejected Wednesday after throwing a punch at Charles Bassey.
https://t.co/AOYY9NzyC7
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 12, 2026
Smart then threw a right-handed punch that grazed Bassey’s nose, resulting in a flagrant foul two and an automatic ejection following an official review.
The 32-year-old didn’t bother waiting for the decision, heading straight to the locker room before referees had finished reviewing the incident.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka later explained what led to the confrontation, revealing that Smart believed Bassey had aggravated his previously injured elbow.
“So he said something to him, and Bassey said, ‘What you gonna do?’ and he did it,” Udoka said, according to ESPN.
Bassey wasn’t impressed with Smart’s actions, accusing the veteran guard of playing dirty throughout the game.
“I remember the first half, I was trying to set a screen [and] he grabbed my knee. He was playing dirty,” Bassey said. “I think I was trying to get a rebound. He was grabbing my hand, and I was trying to run back on defense. Then he got up on me and just swung. Obviously, that was weak. I just think that was, honestly, fake toughness.
“It didn’t surprise me. I knew he was going to do something. I don’t think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to get himself out of the game. I think he was trying to chill. He wasn’t trying to hoop. That was fake toughness.”
The incident marked the 13th ejection of Smart’s NBA career and his first since the 2023-24 season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite the controversy, Houston held on to secure the seven-point victory over Golden State.