The league announced on Sunday afternoon that Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. and Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn have both been suspended following a skirmish during their game on Saturday night.
Dunn received a two-game suspension without pay, while Smith was suspended for one game. Dunn will sit out the Jazz’s upcoming games against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Smith will miss the Rockets’ clash with the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
The altercation occurred early in the second quarter at the Toyota Center in Houston. Dunn and Smith engaged near the top of the key, with Dunn throwing a punch aimed at Smith’s head. Smith retaliated with a swing of his own, though both punches largely missed before they were separated by teammates and officials.
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Both players were promptly ejected from the game, despite the brief nature of the incident.
Dunn commented on the altercation, acknowledging his responsibility for his actions and expressing respect for the league’s decision regarding his suspension. Smith, however, did not address reporters after the game.
Smith, a 20-year-old forward drafted third overall by the Rockets in 2022 out of Auburn, has been enjoying a career-high season, averaging 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds. Dunn, 30, has averaged 5.3 points and 3.9 assists per game this season, his second with the Jazz.
Despite the confrontation, the Rockets secured a convincing 147-119 victory over the Jazz, extending their winning streak to eight games and positioning themselves just 1.5 games behind the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. Conversely, the loss marked the Jazz’s fifth consecutive defeat, leaving them trailing the Rockets by 7.5 games in the standings.
