NBA Suspends Rockets Guard Marcus Smart Three Games for Punching Warriors’ Charles Bassey

The NBA suspended Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart for three games without pay on Nov. 12, 2026. The penalty followed a punch that made contact with the face of Golden State Warriors forward-center Charles Bassey during the Rockets’ 115-108 home win on Nov. 11.

James Jones, the league’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, announced the decision. As of Nov. 15, Smart is serving the suspension, which began with Houston’s game against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 13.

What Happened at Toyota Center

According to the NBA’s announcement, Smart was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected with 0:21 left in the third quarter at Toyota Center. The game was Houston’s 115-108 win over Golden State on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

ESPN reported that the contact followed a transition basket by Rockets guard Amen Thompson that extended Houston’s lead. It described Smart’s punch as a right hook that grazed Bassey’s nose.

Fox News’ OutKick reported that Smart and Bassey tangled under the basket and exchanged words before the punch, and that teammates, coaches and officials separated them. It said Smart finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 17 minutes.

The Ruling
The NBA’s Nov. 12 release said Marcus Smart was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected with 0:21 left in the third quarter, and that his three-game suspension without pay begins Nov. 13 against Utah.

The Penalty and the Games Smart Will Miss

The suspension is three games without pay. The league’s release said it covers a punch that made contact with Bassey’s face.

Smart misses Houston’s home game against Utah on Friday, Nov. 13, its road game at the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Nov. 15, and its road game at the Miami Heat on Monday, Nov. 16, according to ESPN and OutKick.

OutKick reported that Smart becomes eligible to return Nov. 18 against the Indiana Pacers and that the suspension will cost him $125,462 in salary. Neither figure appears in the league’s release or in ESPN’s report.

What Smart and Bassey Said

Rockets coach Ime Udoka described Smart’s account after the game, ESPN reported. Smart told Udoka that Bassey wrapped up his previously injured elbow. Udoka said Smart then said something to Bassey.

Udoka relayed that Bassey answered, “What you gonna do?” and that Smart then threw the punch. ESPN and OutKick both carried that account.

Bassey said that Smart had been playing dirty for the whole game and called the punch “fake toughness,” ESPN reported. OutKick reported that Bassey admitted he baited Smart into reacting and dismissed the punch as an excuse to clock out early.

Smart misses Houston’s home game against Utah on Friday, Nov. 13, its road game at Washington on Sunday, Nov. 15, and its road game at Miami on Monday, Nov. 16.

What It Means for Houston

Houston was 9-3 and third in the Western Conference entering Thursday’s play, ESPN reported. The Rockets play all three of Smart’s suspended games without him.

ESPN said Smart signed with Houston in free agency this summer. He is averaging 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals over nine games, with one start.

OutKick described the ban as the third suspension of Smart’s NBA career. It listed earlier bans for hitting Matt Bonner in 2015 and for threatening an official in 2021. The outlet also reported that Smart was fined $50,000 for shoving Joel Embiid in 2019.

ESPN and OutKick differ on the length of Smart’s career. ESPN calls him a 12-year veteran, while OutKick refers to his 13-year career.

What Comes Next

Smart is set to return after the Miami game.

The Rockets’ schedule for the stretch is the Jazz at home, the Wizards on the road and the Heat on the road, with Smart unavailable for all three.