In the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets it became really hot in the final phase. Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram were all ejected after a brawl. After the game, the Rockets accused Rondo of spitting on Chris Paul.
“You don’t even do that on the street,” an angry Carmelo Anthony raged after the game about Rajon Rondo’s action in the fourth quarter. He and Chris Paul clashed and according to the Rockets Rondo spat at CP3, which the TV pictures can’t clear up clearly.
Paul then put a finger in the eye of the Lakers playmaker, causing Rondo to start with his fists on CP3. Lance Stephenson and LeBron James were able to de-escalate the situation a little later. The two squabblers were nevertheless ejected, as was Ingram, who also interfered and acted with his fists.
Paul didn’t want to talk to the media after the game, while Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni supported Melo’s Thes. “It was spat,” the coach let the media know, while Anthony spoke more directly. “This is unacceptable, just unacceptable. It lacks any respect. It’s got no place in sports.”
Beside Rondo the Rockets were also mightily angry with Ingram. “When two men have a fight, someone can’t just come out of ambush and hit. That’s not possible,” foamed P.J. Tucker. The Lakers-Forward had to leave the hall with a police escort.
All three players must reckon with drastic penalties. NBA Executive Vice President KiKi VanDeWeghe was present at the game and, according to Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN), has already opened an investigation. Since the Rockets will already play against the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow, decisions should come quickly.
According to Shams Charania (The Athletic) Rondo, on the other hand, is said to have asserted to the Lakers that he didn’t spit at Paul. The Lakers also looked at numerous repetitions and could not see anything either.
By the way, they also played. The Rockets kept their nerve in the final phase and won the home debut of LeBron with 124:115 for the Lakers.