The Houston Rockets opened their season with a convincing 128-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, but one of their most important reserves never made it out of the first quarter. Forward Tari Eason was ejected after a shove on Dallas forward P.J. Washington was upgraded to a flagrant 2 foul following a replay review, according to ESPN .

The Play That Ended Eason's Night

With 2:47 remaining in the opening quarter, Eason forcefully shoved Washington in the back, sending the Mavericks forward sprawling to the floor. The contact touched off a brief confrontation between the two sides before players were separated and the officials headed to the monitor.

What was first whistled as a common foul looked different on replay. After reviewing the play, the officiating crew upgraded the call to a flagrant 2, which carries an automatic ejection.…