James Harden Suspended One Game For Kicking Lebron

The NBA league office has made it official: James Harden is suspended for kicking Lebron James in the groin during the Rockets 105-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The beginning of the game was already marred with the scuffle between James and Patrick Beverley. After an offensive charge was called, Lebron decided to place his hand on Beverley’s chest while getting up — something the smaller point guard did not like. This resulted in a bit of wrestling match on the ground as both parties were separated and given technical fouls.

And the physical play did not stop there, as there were a total of five technical fouls called in this game, with 16 fouls occurring in the third quarter alone, which is where the reported incident took place.

James and James Jones double-teamed Harden, which caused the Rockets star to fall to the ground. While doing so, he decided to lift his leg up, effectively kicking the King in the groin. This, of course, upset the Cavaliers superstar, resulting in yet another stoppage due to a scuffle.

According to ESPN, Harden called the kick “a reaction. They called a flagrant. Next play we moved on.” But he did not expect to be suspended; the suspension is poor timing as Houston takes on the Eastern Conference leaders, Atlanta Hawks, tonight.

Of course, James was not happy with Harden’s actions: “Obviously, that’s not a basketball play. Obviously, the league will probably take a look at it. I have no idea why he would do that, but two competitors just trying to go at it and he won this one.”  

Tonight’s suspension will mark the first missed game of the 2014-15 season for Harden, who is averaging 26.6 PPG, 6.8 APG and 5.8 RPG.