Rockets’ Harden suspended 1 game for kicking LeBron

The NBA suspended Houston Rockets guard James Harden for one game Monday as punishment for Harden kicking Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in the groin.

Harden will serve his unpaid suspension Tuesday when the Rockets play the Hawks in Atlanta.

The low blow occurred late in the third quarter of the Rockets’ 105-103 overtime victory Sunday.

Harden received a Flagrant Foul 1, which was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 after the league office reviewed it.

“Obviously that’s not a basketball play,” James told reporters after the game. “Obviously, the league will probably take a look at it. I have no idea why he would do that, but two competitors just trying to go at it, and he won this one.”

Harden shrugged off the incident Sunday, telling reporters, “He’s a very good friend off the court. Obviously it’s a battle and just trying to win a basketball game. Just competition against one of the best players in the world.”