NBA suspends Lakers’ Ingram and Rondo, Rockets’ Paul

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo and the Houston Rockets’ Chris Paul received suspensions from the NBA on Sunday in response to an on-court fight Saturday.

Ingram was banned for four games without pay, Rondo three games without pay and Paul two games without pay.

With 4:13 left in the game and the Rockets up 109-108, Ingram fouled James Harden as the Rockets star headed for the basket. As Ingram jawed at Harden, with the official between them, point guards Paul and Rondo faced off.

Video show Rondo spitting in Paul’s face. Paul then poked a finger in Rondo’s face. Rondo threw the first punch, a left hook that grazed Paul’s right cheek. Paul responded by throwing punches. Ingram then entered the melee with a wild punch.

Ingram, Paul, and Rondo all were ejected.

The NBA’s vice president of basketball operations, Kiki VanDeWeghe, was at the game at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He headed the probe, interviewing participants and witnesses, ESPN reported.

VanDeWeghe announced in a statement Sunday: “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.”

The Rockets are scheduled to meet the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night at Staples Center. Paul will miss that game plus a Wednesday game against the Utah Jazz.

Ingram is due to miss a Monday home game vs. the San Antonio Spurs, a Wednesday road game against the Phoenix Suns, a Thursday home game vs. the Denver Nuggets and a Saturday road game against the Spurs. Rondo will miss the Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday contests. —