The NBA has issued suspensions for three players for their involvement in a fight. Things got chippy during the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s matchup between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, culminating in punches thrown by Rajon Rondo, Brandon Ingram and Chris Paul.
Almost had a brawl in the #Lakers vs #Rockets game ??? pic.twitter.com/fVy6vZFwio
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 21, 2018
Here's what went down
Brandon Ingram shoved James Harden, they get separated ?
Chris Paul pokes Rajon Rondo aggressively and they start throwing punches ? pic.twitter.com/h8QQym2mC6
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 21, 2018
The NBA has suspended Brandon Ingram for four games, Rajon Rondo for three games and Chris Paul received a two-game suspension.
Lakers’ Ingram and Rondo Suspended; Rockets’ Paul Suspended: pic.twitter.com/5MQrtvBnDT
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) October 21, 2018
Paul, who started the scuffle, claimed that he did so because Rondo spat in his face.
Sources: Lakers officials watched tape and are backing Rajon Rondo’s contention that he didn’t spit on Chris Paul. Meanwhile, CP3 and Rockets are insisting that Rondo did spit. “Lot of history between them,” one source connected to both players says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 21, 2018
Now, the question becomes whether or not Rondo did, indeed, spit in Paul’s face.
Sources: NBA's expected to learn two things on case Lakers/Rajon Rondo will make to league: Rondo suffered a cut/scratch under right eye from Chris Paul, which Rondo contends provoked him. Also, Rondo used a mouthguard, which presumably would complicate alleged act of spitting.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 21, 2018
Whatever case Rondo's making, NBA is evaluating a video clip captured courtside that shows saliva/spit shooting from Rondo's mouth onto Chris Paul's face. It appears Rondo will have to sell league on fact that it was unintentional — and that appears to be a tough case to make. https://t.co/ddrhhHuxnN
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 21, 2018
Here is the clip Wojnarowski is likely referring to in that last tweet:
SO DID RAJON RONDO SPIT ON CHRIS PAUL OR NAH pic.twitter.com/HFHuqvxFZ6
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 21, 2018
Rondo does appear to spit, and while it is possible that it was simply an accident caused by speaking while wearing a mouthguard, the way his lips purse makes that seem unlikely.
Luke Walton, Rondo’s head coach, sided with his point guard:
Today Luke Walton was asked if there was spitting last night from Rajon Rondo to Chris Paul. He said no.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) October 21, 2018
