HOUSTON — Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. and Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn were ejected after throwing punches five seconds into the second quarter of Houston’s 147-119 win on Saturday night.
The fight happened after the pair got tangled up while the ball was being brought up the court. Players and officials got between them before the scuffle could escalate further. Both players were assessed technical fouls for fighting.
None of the punches thrown appeared to connect.
Dunn said the two “exchanged a couple words, a couple pushes and the next thing you know, we’re ejected.”
“For me, I take responsibility for my actions and whatever the league decides for me, I have to respect that,” Dunn said of possible punishment.
Smith was not made available postgame.
The win made it eight straight for the Rockets, who have fought their way back into the Western Conference play-in race. They sit two losses back of the Golden State Warriors for the 10 seed.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.