Three NBA players suspended after punch-up

World
Europe

The Los Angeles Lakers' Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo and the Houston Rockets' Chris Paul received suspensions from the NBA on Sunday in response to an on-court fight Saturday.

Ingram was banned for four games without pay, Rondo three games without pay and Paul two games without pay.

The league said in a statement that "Ingram has been suspended for aggressively returning to and escalating the altercation and throwing a punch in the direction of Paul, confronting a game official in a hostile manner, and instigating the overall incident by shoving Rockets guard James Harden."

"Rondo has been suspended for instigating a physical altercation with, and spitting and throwing multiple punches at, Paul. Paul has been suspended for poking at and making contact with the face of Rondo, and throwing multiple punches at him," it goes on to say.

Carmelo Anthony (wearing headband) of the Houston Rockets and Brandon Ingram (#14) of the Los Angeles Lakers have words as Lonzo Ball (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers separates them during the second half of a basketball game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on October 20, 2018.

The NBA's vice president of basketball operations, Kiki VanDeWeghe, was at the game at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He headed the probe, interviewing participants and witnesses, ESPN reported.

Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said before the game between Rockets against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday that he didn't think a two-game suspension for Paul was fair, as Paul will also miss the game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

"It's just not equitable," D'Antoni said, "You watch the film, you watch the spit... I understand he gets maybe one (game). (But) what is he supposed to do - just stand there and get spit on and then take a punch to the face and say it's OK?"

LeBron James (#23) of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on October 20, 2018.

Ingram is due to miss a Monday home game vs. the San Antonio Spurs, a Wednesday road game against the Phoenix Suns, a Thursday home game vs. the Denver Nuggets and a Saturday road game against the Spurs.

Meanwhile, Rondo will miss the Monday, Wednesday and Thursday contests.

The fight erupted with 4:13 left to play and the Rockets leading 109-108. The extraordinary scenes overshadowed LeBron James's home debut with the Lakers, which ended in a 124-115 Rockets victory.

(With input from Reuters and AFP)