Getty Houston Rockets G Chris Paul and Los Angeles Lakers F LeBron James
The drama surrounding a wild ending the Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game Saturday night has forced the NBA to make some big decisions. After Rockets guard Chris Paul and Lakers guard Rajon Rondo each threw punches which made contact with each other, it led to shoving and even more punches.
Lakers forward Brandon Ingram threw a punch at James Harden and also shoved him. Beyond that, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk reported Rondo’s family got into a confrontation with Paul’s wife, Jada, after the on-court incident. The entire thing seemingly began when Rondo spit in Paul’s face, according to the Rockets guard.
The end result was what most expected as all three players received suspensions. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed, Paul is suspended for two games, Rondo for three games and Ingram was given four games.
Sources: NBA suspensions – Brandon Ingram 4 games; Rajon Rondo 3 games; Chris Paul 2 games.
With the Rockets playing Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, this means they’ll be without their starting point guard. Let’s take a look at how Houston’s starting lineup against the Clippers will look Sunday.
Rockets Starting Lineup With Paul Suspended
C: Clint Capela
PF: P.J. Tucker
SF: James Ennis
SG: Eric Gordon
PG: James Harden
There are a few ways the Rockets could choose to go with their lineup, but this makes the most sense. We know Harden is more than capable of running the point and thriving in the process. Eric Gordon is one of the first players of the bench and filled in as a starter at times last season when Paul was out.
As The Athletic’s Jovan Buha revealed ahead of the game, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed Gordon will start.
Eric Gordon is starting in place of Chris Paul tonight, per Mike D’Antoni.
Another option could have been to get creative and let Michael Carter-Williams start in order to leave Gordon in the second unit. Regardless, with Paul out it will lead to an increase in minutes for Carter-Williams.
Comments
Rockets Starting Lineup vs. Clippers With Chris Paul Suspended