Marcus Smart Ejected After Punching Charles Bassey

Houston beat Golden State 115–108 on Wednesday, ending the Warriors’ eight-game winning streak, while Stephen Curry left in the first half with a right abdominal strain. Late in the third quarter, Rockets guard Marcus Smart threw a punch at Warriors center Charles Bassey during an altercation and was ejected after receiving a flagrant-2 foul. Bassey accused Smart of playing dirty, alleging he grabbed his knee and hand, and called the punch “fake toughness.” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Smart told him his previously injured elbow had been bent during the contact; the confrontation followed a transition basket by Amen Thompson. Smart finished with six points, two rebounds and one assist in about 17 minutes, and could face a suspension for Houston’s Friday game against Utah, potentially creating more playing time for Reed Sheppard.