Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo ejected after scrum erupts in Rockets-Lakers

2:02 AM ET

LOS ANGELES -- All the pomp and circumstance of LeBron James' debut with the Los Angeles Lakers took a backset to a multiplayer fight that broke out in the fourth quarter of L.A.'s home opener against the Houston Rockets.

Play was stopped for nearly 10 minutes while the referees tried to adjudicate the fracas that started with Brandon Ingram pushing James Harden and exploded when Rajon Rondo landed a left-handed punch to Chris Paul's face after the Rockets point guard poked a finger in Rondo's face.

James had to separate his good friend Paul from the rest of the Lakers as Paul tried to throw a punch back. Lance Stephenson played peacemaker by hugging Ingram and pushing him away from the action.

After an official review, Paul and Rondo were ejected, while Ingram received a personal foul, plus two technical fouls, resulting in his disqualification.

NBA executive vice president Kiki VanDeWeghe was at Staples Center on Saturday, and an investigation into the fight is underway, with potential for suspensions as soon as Sunday, a league source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

With 4:13 remaining in the game and the Rockets leading 109-108, Ingram pushed Harden and then had to be separated from an official. Rondo and Paul were arguing face-to-face before Paul pointed and shoved Rondo in the face. Rondo responded by throwing and landing two out of three punches on Paul. Paul punched back, and Ingram came running over and threw a punch in Paul's direction as well.

JaVale McGee was asked after the game if he has ever seen that side from Ingram, who is typically laid back.

"No," McGee said. "If you poke the bear you're going to get bit."

ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.

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