Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo exchange punches as melee breaks out in Rockets-Lakers game

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo exchanged punches as a melee broke out between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers during their game Saturday night in L.A.

The events began in the fourth quarter with the Rockets leading 109-108 when the Lakers Brandon Ingram shoved Rockets star James Harden from behind.

Here’s a better look. Ingram shoves Harden and then Paul and Rondo throw down. pic.twitter.com/UOswPgKRnZ

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 21, 2018

Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo throwing punches. pic.twitter.com/rEnfMvH4l2

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 21, 2018

Ingram was given two technical fouls in addition to a personal foul, and he was ejected.

“He should be suspended the longest,” ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy said on air.

“He’s going to be gone multiple, multiple games,” he added of Ingram.

After Paul put his hand in Rondo’s face, Rondo responded with a left hand to Paul’s head. Paul and Rondo were both given technicals and ejected. Paul said Rondo spit on him, according to ESPN. “I saw some spit flying,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said after the game.

“Rondo and Chris Paul have never liked each other,” ESPN’s Paul Pierce said on air. “I’m surprised that this is their first fight. Throughout Rondo’s time in the league, they have never got along.”

“I tell you what, this is the first time that I’ve seen some punches landed in a long time,” Chauncey Billups added.

It was Ingram’s first career ejection, according to ESPN, the sixth for Rondo and the second for Paul.

The Rockets won the game, 124-115, to improve to 1-1. LeBron James and the Lakers fell to 0-2.

Kiki Vandeweghe, the NBA’s executive vice president for basketball operations, will hand out the penalties for the NBA.

“The NBA will sort it out,” D’Antoni said, “and they’ll do a good job at it.”

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And Like ZAGS on Facebook