Warriors’ Pat Spencer Sent Off After Headbutting Alperen Sengun in Clash Against Rockets

Pat Spencer of the Golden State Warriors was sent off during the playoff match against the Houston Rockets after headbutting Alperen Sengun amid a tussle in the fourth quarter.

Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 26 points, while Amen Thompson contributed 25, helping Houston stave off elimination with a decisive 131-116 victory.

As the game slipped away from the Warriors, coach Steve Kerr opted to clear his bench with roughly five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Houston’s coach, Ime Udoka, followed suit shortly before the end of the period.

Despite the lineup changes, Golden State’s substitutes managed to reduce the deficit to 17 points with about eight minutes left. However, Houston’s starters returned to the court while the Warriors’ second unit remained on as the game wound down to the final minutes.

During the altercation, Spencer knocked Dillon Brooks to the floor while competing for a rebound, which led to Sengun colliding with him, prompting Spencer to headbutt Sengun. This was followed by Trayce Jackson-Davis pushing Sengun, sparking players from both sides to rush in to separate them.

Both Sengun and Jackson-Davis received technical fouls, while Spencer faced ejection from the game.

Dillon Brooks finished with 24 points on a night where all five Houston starters notched double figures.

A late surge by the Warriors, going on a 9-5 run, brought the score to 114-101 before the on-field chaos erupted with around four minutes remaining.

After the incident, Houston responded with a 7-2 run, sealing the game decisively.