The verdict is in and it’s bad for the Los Angeles Lakers. Starting forward Brandon Ingram will be suspended four games while starting point guard Rajon Rondo will be suspended three games, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The NBA announced the news of the suspension only moments later.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram has been suspended four games without pay, Lakers guard Rajon Rondo has been suspended three games without pay, and Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul has been suspended two games without pay, for their roles in an on-court altercation with 4:13 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Rockets’ 124-115 win over the Lakers on Oct. 20 at Staples Center. The suspensions were announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
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.
Looking back at the initial evidence, it was easy to see Ingram getting the worst of the discipline given his intimidation of an official and the late punch after Rondo and Paul had already gotten into it.
Also, video appeared to show Rondo spitting on Paul, which would technically make him the instigator of the fight.
Now, the Lakers will have to get along with Lonzo Ball as the starting point guard and will likely need Kyle Kuzma or Josh Hart to fill in for Ingram for a handful of game.
The first of that handful is Monday night at home against the San Antonio Spurs.