Chris Paul likely out tonight vs the LA Clippers, pending suspension after Rondo brawl

Rockets guard Chris Paul got into a fight last night with Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, and likely won’t play tonight vs the LA Clippers pending his suspension.

In the heated final minutes of last night’s game between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, former LA Clippers point guard Chris Paul got into an altercation with Lakers guard Rajon Rondo. Punches were thrown, so chances are Paul will be suspended and held out of at least tonight’s game against the Clippers.

The fight stemmed from an altercation between Lakers forward Brandon Ingram and Rockets guard James Harden. With 4:15 to go and holding a narrow 109-108 lead, Harden was fouled on a drive to the rim by Ingram. The referees claimed he got fouled on the floor, and Harden was upset that his shot was waived off. Seemingly upset with Harden’s complaint, Ingram walked up behind the 29-year-old guard and shoved him hard.

A technical foul was immediately issued to Ingram, which is when Paul wandered over in Rondo’s direction. The two could be seen having what seemed to be an emotional discussion, when Paul took offense to Rondo for allegedly spitting on him. CP3 jammed his finger into Rondo’s face, which is when he responded with a hook to Paul’s face. The two exchanged punches for a moment, before several Lakers and Rockets came in to break it up. Ingram appeared to throw a punch or two in as well while the guards were being split up.

All three of Ingram, Paul, and Rondo were ejected, and multi-game suspensions are likely pending an investigation.

However, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the altercations didn’t stop there. Per reports, one of Rondo’s family members confronted Paul’s wife, Jada, after the game.

Of course, it’s all-but-certain at this point that Paul will be suspended ahead of tonight’s game against the LA Clippers — giving LA a well-deserved break.

The Clippers fought hard in each of their first two games against two difficult opponents, the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. After falling late to Denver, LA bounced back with a 16-point victory over the Thunder. Tonight’s game would’ve been the third in a tough streak.

Surely, the Rockets will still put up a strong fight against LA. Harden will still play, and could give either Patrick Beverley or Avery Bradley a hard time depending on who defends him.

Without Paul though, and with the Rockets on their second night of a back-to-back, the Clippers could have an easier opponent than was originally anticipated.