Report: NBA taking no further action on Tyson Chandler's strike at Dwight Howard
Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler somehow ducked further punishment from the league despite throwing a punch in Game 4 of his team's first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
Late in the fourth quarter of the Mavericks' eventual win, Chandler and Dwight Howard got tangled underneath the basket while jockeying for a rebound. During the scuffle, Chandler appeared to have lobbed a jab towards Howard.
Both players were whistled for technical fouls, but nothing more came of it. The two teams combined for five technicals in an intense contest, and it wasn't the first time Howard and Chandler had tangled.
The NBA reviewed the play on Monday and will take no further action on the matter, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports. It's a curious decision, given that Chandler's intention was rather clear. He swung with a closed fist at the back of Howard.
However, Howard was entirely fine with the decision to not suspend or fine Chandler
Dwight Howard said he did not want Tyson Chandler to be suspended. “I want him to play. Why not? We’re battling.”
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 27, 2015
Chandler has been tremendously important to the Mavericks. He was instrumental in cementing Dallas's defense on Sunday, posting a double-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks while registering as a plus-26 in 29 minutes.