The NBA has officially handed down their suspensions to the Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. and the Utah Jazz’s Kris Dunn following their on-court altercation. According to an official statement from the league, the NBA has suspended Smith Jr. for one game and Dunn for two games.
Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. (one game) and Utah’s Kris Dunn (two games) have each been suspended for their altercation.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 24, 2024
This altercation took place during the Rockets-Jazz game on Saturday. After the game, Dunn spoke about the altercation, saying he and Smith Jr. “exchanged a couple of words“:
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.”
Smith Jr. will miss the team’s Monday night game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Dunn, on the other hand, will miss Utah’s Monday night game against the Dallas Mavericks and Wednesday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. Coincidentally, Dunn will be eligible to return from suspension in their rematch against the Rockets next Friday.
NBA Suspends Jabari Smith Jr. and Kris Dunn After Altercation
The Houston Rockets Will Miss Jabari Smith Jr.
Despite Dunn being suspended for an extra game, there is an argument that the Rockets will feel the impact of missing their suspended player more. After winning their last eight games and nine of their last 10, Houston is now just 1.5 games back from a Play-In spot. In large part due to the breakout of Jalen Green‘s game, the Rockets are turning on the jets at the right time. The team currently aims for a shot to make it to the playoffs. Because of this, losing Smith Jr., even if for just one game, is a big blow. The Auburn native is averaging 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Furthermore, he is shooting 45,2% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. In his one-game absence, the Rockets will rely more heavily on rookie Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks in the frontcourt.
Since Alperen Şengün’s injury, Jabari Smith has stepped up BIG as the Houston #Rockets starting center:
17.3 PPG
8.8 RPG
1.0 APG
1.0 SPG
0.8 BPG
42.1 3P% (4.8 3PA)
67.1 TS% pic.twitter.com/mqQCQVeksh— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) March 20, 2024
How the Utah Jazz Will Replace Kris Dunn During His Suspension
As for the Jazz, losing Dunn for two games is tough. Dunn has started 32 games for the team this season and has provided great defense. In his place, the team will likely rely more heavily on rookie point guard Keyonte George. Right behind the Rockets, the Jazz currently hold the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference. However, with. 29-42 record, the team is 6.5 games behind the Rockets. Sure, they are not officially eliminated from playoff contention. However, it seems unlikely the Jazz can battle their way into a playoff spot.
