An ugly scene unfolded inside the Staples Center in a game between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night.
The game itself was physical from the start. It ultimately culminated in multiple punches being thrown after Lakers forward Brandon Ingram fouled James Harden. Three of the players involved in the fight were ejected.
Chris Paul, Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo have been ejected after throwing blows in L.A. pic.twitter.com/s28TT81eys
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 21, 2018
The biggest question here was whether Lakers guard Rajon Rondo spit on Chris Paul. Evidence seems to suggest that might have happened.
In any event, the NBA has now officially handed down suspensions stemming from the incident. Ingram was suspended four games. Meanwhile, Rondo got three games and Paul received a two-game ban.
Sources: NBA suspensions – Brandon Ingram 4 games; Rajon Rondo 3 games; Chris Paul 2 games.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 21, 2018
Some will say the punishments are not severe enough, especially when looking at the incident between Rondo and Paul.
Either way, this will certainly impact both teams as they navigate through the early-season schedule. It will also be interesting to see what happens when these teams play again in December.