Rockets suspending Kevin Porter Jr., Christian Wood for 1 game: Sources

The Houston Rockets are suspending guard Kevin Porter Jr. and forward Christian Wood for one game — Monday night's contest against the Philadelphia 76ers — following their poor behavior on Saturday, sources confirmed to The Athletic.

Porter left Toyota Center during halftime of Saturday night's loss to the Denver Nuggets after a heated exchange in the locker room with Houston assistant coach John Lucas, sources told The Athletic. Sources said Lucas called out multiple players, including Porter and Wood — who was benched after missing a mandatory COVID-19 testing window — during halftime, focusing on Porter’s play and Wood's effort level.

As things escalated, Porter threw an object, needed to be separated from Lucas and then got in his car and left the arena. Wood refused to sub into the game in the second half, sources added. Coach Stephen Silas told reporters after the game that Porter was being evaluated for a left thigh injury that has bothered him recently. Silas also said it was his decision to not play Wood in the second half.

Wood played eight minutes during the first half, going scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting. He was late to pregame warmups and came off the bench to start the game, but he informed coaches at halftime that he had no desire to play in the second half, sources said.

(Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images)

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