A spat erupted, possibly, over some spit.
Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul traded punches Saturday deep into the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets — marring LeBron James’ home debut in purple and gold, in the process. Rondo, the Rockets claim, spit on Paul during the confrontation.
Rondo and the Lakers, however, denied any saliva was spewed.
RONDO VS. CHRIS PAUL RING THE DAMN BELL pic.twitter.com/x82ATmyWvL
— Sherwob Holmes (@World_Wide_Wob) October 21, 2018
Chris Paul, Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo have been ejected after throwing blows in L.A. pic.twitter.com/s28TT81eys
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 21, 2018
Whatever the case, both players can expect a suspension after getting into a brawl. Lakers forward Brandon Ingram will also likely be suspended as he rushed in and clocked Paul in the face.
Sources: Lakers officials watched tape and are backing Rajon Rondo’s contention that he didn’t spit on Chris Paul. Meanwhile, CP3 and Rockets are insisting that Rondo did spit. “Lot of history between them,” one source connected to both players says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 21, 2018
When reviewing the tape, one can see Paul wipe his brow before poking Rondo in the face. The Lakers guard immediately countered — punching Paul. The Rockets guard then threw, and landed, a punch of his own.
But it’s hard to tell if Rondo did, in fact, spit at Paul.
The dust-up initially started when Ingram shoved Rockets star James Harden. The incident escalated after Rondo and Paul confronted each other.
Lakers - Rockets Fight
— KesTV (@KJ_Aranda) October 21, 2018
Rondo, Paul, Ingram, LeBron, Melo, NBA pic.twitter.com/30cP4rJnNe
Rondo, Paul and Ingram did not talk to the media afterward.
The Rockets won the game 124-115.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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