NBA Suspends Jazz, Rockets Players For Throwing Punches

PublishedMarch 24, 2024 8:24 PM EDT|UpdatedMarch 24, 2024 9:11 PM EDT

Saturday night hoops in the NBA featured a heated encounter between Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn and Houston Rocket forward Jabari Smith Jr.

Dunn and Smith got tangled up in the second quarter, with several punches thrown. The players were ejected despite none of the punches having landed. On tape, Dunn started the kerfuffle, taking the first shot at Smith, the former lottery pick out of Auburn. Dunn had a clear shot from his proximity but flopped with a major miss.

Smith retaliated with his own jab — officials and players jumped in to separate the players before the scrum escalated.

The NBA's disciplinary offices weren't fond of their duel, assigning suspensions to Dunn and Smith on Sunday. Dunn received a two-game suspension with no pay while Jabari Smith was hit with a one-game ban with no pay.

NBA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars made the announcement. The league's decision read: "Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn has been suspended two games without pay for initiating an altercation and throwing a punch at Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., who has been suspended one game for fighting with Dunn."

Dunn knew from the jump that his failed fight could cost him some game time. After the game, Kris Dunn took accountability for the fight and accepted any potential discipline from the league.

"[We] exchanged a couple words, a couple pushes and the next thing you know, we're ejected," Dunn said after the game. "For me, I take responsibility for my actions and whatever the league decides for me, I have to respect that."

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