The NBA rule book is clear: If you throw a punch — even if it doesn’t connect — you’re automatically suspended.
Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn threw a punch Saturday night at Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., and the league has come down: Two-game suspension for Dunn “for initiating an altercation and throwing a punch” and one game for Smith “for fighting with Dunn.” I’m not sure exactly what Smith is supposed to do in that setting, but here we are.
“For me, I take responsibility for my actions and whatever the league decides for me, I have to respect that,” Dunn said postgame.
Dunn clearly throws a punch, which missed (or he pulled), but league rules mandate a suspension for any attempt to land a punch. Dunn and Smith had to be separated during a shoving match between the teams on Jan. 20. Apparently that grudge carried over and now the two men will miss time and a little bit of their paychecks.
Here is the financial impact for the Kris Dunn and Jabari Smith Jr. suspensions:
Kris Dunn: 2 games | $35,678 (total)
1/145 of $2,586,665 multiplied by 2
Jabari Smith Jr: 1 game | $53,601
1/174 of $9,326,520
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 24, 2024
Source link: https://sports.yahoo.com/utahs-kris-dunn-suspended-two-232331436.html
