No suspensions for P.J. Tucker, Dennis Schroder after Game 5 scuffle

Schroder said Sunday that his below-the-belt contact was unintentional, but Tucker said he doesn’t buy it. The NBA fined both $25,000.

[jwplayer hDevwTBU-ThvAeFxT]

Both Houston and Oklahoma City will be at full strength in Monday’s Game 6, with Rockets forward P.J. Tucker and Thunder guard Dennis Schroder each avoiding suspension after a Game 5 scuffle.

Both players were fined $25,000 by the NBA for the incident.

As Schroder attempted to navigate around a Tucker screen in the third quarter, he made below-the-belt contact with Tucker’s groin area. Tucker, understandably enraged by the act, yelled at Schroder and gave him a light headbutt to the back of his head. Both were ejected.

Schroder said his contact was unintentional, though Tucker stated at Houston’s practice on Sunday that he did not buy that explanation. He also said Schroder had not reached out to him to discuss the incident, which might make for a few tense moments on the court in Game 6.

The NBA’s decision to fine Schroder $25,000 appears to show that the league did not buy his explanation of no intent, either.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was suspended for one “seeding” game earlier this month for a headbutt, but that looked to be far more egregious than Tucker’s contact on Saturday. In its Sunday statement, the NBA said the incident “did not meet the standard for a headbutt.”

Schroder is Oklahoma City’s No. 2 scorer in the playoffs, averaging 19.4 points and 3.6 assists in 31.0 minutes per game. Tucker, meanwhile, is one of Houston’s most trusted defenders and veteran leaders. He’s averaging 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 33.6 minutes per game.

Game 6 between the Rockets and Thunder tips off at 8:00 p.m. Central on Monday, with a national broadcast on TNT and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest. With a victory, Houston advances to the second round to face the Los Angeles Lakers. If they lose, a decisive Game 7 would be set for Wednesday night.

[lawrence-related id=37228,37157]