3:03 pm | October 21, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
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Adrian WojnarowskiESPN
The NBA suspended Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (four games), teammate Rajon Rondo (three games) and Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (two games) — all without pay — for their roles in a fourth quarter fight on Saturday night at Staples Center.
“Ingram has been suspended for aggressively returning to and escalating the altercation and throwing a punch in the direction of Paul, confronting a game official in a hostile manner, and instigating the overall incident by shoving Rockets guard James Harden,” the league said in a statement. “Rondo has been suspended for instigating a physical altercation with, and spitting and throwing multiple punches at, Paul. Paul has been suspended for poking at and making contact with the face of Rondo, and throwing multiple punches at him.”
Paul will serve his suspension Sunday night when the Rockets face the Clippers at Staple Center.
With 4:13 remaining in the game and the Rockets ahead 109-108, a fight occurred with multiple participants.
The NBA had been evaluating a video shot courtside that appeared to capture Rondo spitting into the face of Paul at Staples Center, league sources told ESPN earlier Sunday. The Rockets’ video staff took the video courtside during the game, and it had been shared with the league office, sources said.
This is one of the pieces of video the Rockets are sending the league office as the NBA investigates last night’s fight at Staples Center and determines discipline. pic.twitter.com/YKw7JF13cP
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 21, 2018
When asked earlier Sunday if Rondo spit on Paul, Lakers head coach Luke Walton said, “No.”
The Lakers met as a team on Sunday in their film room and discussed the brawl. Rondo and Ingram practiced on Sunday but did not talk with reporters.
“We’ve learned from the experience and we’re moving on,” Walton said before the suspensions came down. “… We learned — everyone learns something differently, but we brought it up, we talked about it, the message was delivered. And now it’s about next man up, moving forward, and keep positive, keep getting better.”
NBA vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe was in attendance for Saturday night’s skirmish. VanDeWeghe was leading the NBA’s probe into the incident and helping to interview participants and witnesses on Sunday in Los Angeles, league sources said.
Rondo threw a punch at Paul after Paul poked a finger into his face. Once Rondo and Paul’s altercation occurred, Ingram sprinted from half court and threw a punch of his own in the direction of Paul and PJ Tucker that did not land cleanly.
Rondo made the case that he didn’t spit on Paul and was provoked into throwing a punch after Paul poked a finger into his face and left a scratch under his right eye, league sources said. Rondo also pointed to the fact that he was wearing a mouthguard, and that would impact his ability to intentionally spit on someone.
Lonzo Ball, last year’s starter at point guard, could replace Rondo in the starting lineup. Walton said he would meet with training staff members on Sunday to see if Ball’s early-season minutes restriction will be lifted.
The Lakers had been easing the point guard back into action after offseason knee surgery. Ball played 26 minutes and finished with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists against the Rockets.
Kyle Kuzma is also an option to start for Ingram.
Information from ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk was used in this report.
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