Warriors center calls out Marcus Smart’s ‘fake toughness’ after punch leads to ejection

Marcus Smart was ejected after punching Golden State centre Charles Bassey during the Warriors’ 115-108 defeat by Houston on Wednesday. Bassey criticised Smart afterwards, calling the incident “fake toughness” and saying he believed Smart was trying to get himself out of the game.

The pair clashed while contesting a rebound late in the third quarter, then continued arguing at the other end of the court. Bassey said Smart had grabbed his hand during the play and his knee earlier, and described his conduct as dirty; he said he kept his arms by his sides during the exchange.