Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. watched the second half of his team’s loss to the Nuggets from home on Saturday after leaving the Toyota Center at halftime.
According to multiple reports, a halftime exchange with assistant coach John Lucas led to Porter losing his temper. Porter threw an object and had to be separated from Lucas, per The Athletic.
The Rockets said that Porter was questionable to return with a thigh injury, but he had in fact gotten in his car and gone home. The Nuggets went on to win 124-111. Porter has since apologized for the overreaction, per The Athletic.
“We had a spirited debate [at halftime],” Rockets coach Stephen Silas told reporters postgame. “I have certain demands of this team as far as playing hard. … I wasn’t satisfied with the effort.”
The team has yet to determine any potential discipline for Porter, according to ESPN. The 21-year-old had off-court issues in Cleveland, which led to his being traded after he blew up at team personnel over them moving his locker.
Christian Wood also sat out the second half for the Rockets, which Silas described as a coach’s decision. According to The Athletic, Wood refused to sub into the game after Lucas called him out. The 26-year-old also came off the bench in the first half because he missed a mandatory COVID-19 testing window.
Porter had eight points and three assists in the first half. Wood was scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting.
The Rockets play the 76ers on Monday night.
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