Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden has been issued with a 1-game suspension over his scuffle with the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James.
The incident occurred on Sunday night's game between the two teams which ended with the Rockets securing a 105-103 overtime win over the Cavaliers, according to ESPN.
During the third quarter of the match, Harden dove for the ball against the opposing team's James and James Jones. Outwrestled by the two Cavaliers, the Rockets' lead scorer fell on his back and kicked his foot in the air. Unfortunately, James' groin was at the receiving end of Harden's kick.
A referee immediately blew his whistle after seeing the incident and slapped Harden with a flagrant foul 1. Upon reviewing the matter on Monday, the NBA league upgraded the call to a flagrant foul 2, the San Francisco Gate reported.
The league then announced that Harden is not allowed to play with the Rockets for one game due to his action against James. This means the shooting guard will not be able to join his teammates as they take on the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
Harden refused to comment on his foul after the game. However, Jones criticized Harden for throwing such a serious personal foul.
"It was an intentional groin kick," Jones told reporters according to ESPN. "It was an intentional kick to a troublesome area."
James, the victim of Harden's kick and his former teammate in the All-Stars and Olympic basketball teams, also commented on the unprofessionalism of the athlete's actions.
"Obviously that's not a basketball play," James continued. "I have no idea why he would do that, but two competitors just trying to go at it and he won this one."
The rumble between James and Harden was not the only scuffle during last Sunday's match as several technical fouls were called during the game. James also became a bit too aggressive when he shoved Rockets guard Patrick Beverly as he was trying to stand up.
