Report: Porter Jr. left Rockets game at halftime after heated exchange

Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. left Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets following an argument with assistant coach John Lucas at halftime, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania and Kelly Iko.

Sources said Lucas called out Porter's effort in the first half with the club down 77-55 at the break after allowing 47 second-quarter points.

The third-year player then reportedly threw an object in the locker room and needed to be separated from Lucas before leaving the arena and driving away.

Team sources told The Athletic that Porter has since been apologetic for his reaction.

After the game, head coach Stephen Silas told reporters that Porter's second-half no-show was due to an evaluation for a thigh injury.

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Porter to Houston midway through the 2020-21 campaign after a locker room outburst put him out of favor with the franchise.

The 21-year-old has been inconsistent for the Rockets this season, averaging 12.8 points per game on just 36.6% shooting from the field.