Smart Ejected After Punch at Bassey
Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart was thrown out of a game against the Golden State Warriors after officials assessed him a flagrant foul 2.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Basketball
Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart was ejected from Wednesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors after officials assessed a flagrant foul 2 for an apparent punch at Warriors center Charles Bassey. The incident occurred with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter while Houston was leading.
Why it matters
A flagrant foul 2 carries an automatic ejection, so Smart was removed from the game and Houston finished without him. Any further league discipline would require a separate determination.
The NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, New Jersey reviewed the incident before officials assessed the flagrant foul 2. Both flagrant foul 1 and flagrant foul 2 award two free throws and possession to the offended team, and a flagrant foul 2 removes the responsible player from the game.
The players
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart is a veteran professional basketball guard who plays for the Houston Rockets and is known for his defensive intensity.
Charles Bassey
Charles Bassey is a professional basketball center who plays for the Golden State Warriors.
The details
Smart appeared to throw a punch at Bassey with 21 seconds left in the third quarter. Officials reviewed the play with the NBA Replay Center before assessing the flagrant foul 2 and ejecting Smart.
Timeline
Wednesday night (November 11, 2026): Smart is ejected from the Rockets-Warriors game with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Season Trajectory
The NBA's flagrant foul 2 rule makes any such punch an automatic ejection regardless of intent, which shapes how teams manage rotations after in-game confrontations. Houston's lineup adjustments for the rest of the game follow from that rule rather than any discretionary league decision.
Smart's ejection removes him from the Rockets' rotation and affects fantasy lineups that counted on his minutes. The flagrant foul 2 rule means any further penalty would depend on separate league review.
The takeaway
Ejections for flagrant fouls take players out of games immediately, so teams must plan rotations around them as soon as they happen. Fans tracking Houston should watch for any follow-up league decision on Smart.
Further reading
Explore more on the Basketball section for additional coverage of Houston's season.
