Overview
- Smith and Tomlin tangled boxing out in the second quarter at Rocket Arena, leading to a shove and a face-to-face confrontation.
- Officials issued offsetting technical fouls and assessed Smith a flagrant-1, which gave Cleveland two free throws.
- Houston maintained control after the incident and won 114-104.
- Tomlin, an undrafted 2024 pickup on a two-way contract, drew a surprise start with Darius Garland, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson unavailable.
- Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson lauded Tomlin’s energy and toughness in his postgame remarks.