Houston Rockets' Montrezl Harrell draws five-game suspension in D-League

Houston Rockets rookie forward Montrezl Harrell was suspended for five games without pay by the NBA Development League after shoving a referee to the floor at the end of a game on Saturday.

The incident occurred after the final horn sounded in Rio Grande Valley's D-League game against Sacramento.

Bakersfield forward Derek Cooke Jr. also was suspended for one game without pay for pushing Harrell. After game official Jason Goldenberg stepped in to help stop the altercation, Harrell pushed him to the ground.

Players and security quickly stepped in to prevent more mayhem.

Harrell will be unable to return to play for the Rockets until he sits out the five games in the D-League. With three games remaining in the regular season for Rio Grande Valley, the suspension will extend into the playoffs.

"Harrell committed a deliberate assault and battery against Referee Goldenberg," the National Basketball Referees Association said Monday in a statement. "Anything less than a multiple game suspension would constitute a green light for violence against officials."

Harrell has split time between the Rockets and Rio Grande Valley this season. He has played in 38 games for Houston and 12 games for Rio Grande Valley, averaging 24.3 points and 93. rebounds for the Vipers.