A heated exchange between Scotty Pippen Jr and Myron Gardner turned into a late-game fight that spilled into the stands during the Heat win over the Grizzlies.
Tempers exploded late in Saturday night’s matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center.
With the game already tilting toward Miami in a 136–120 win, things boiled over between Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner.
The tension started during a physical rebound battle. Gardner delivered a hard box out under the rim, and Pippen responded by pulling him down while fighting for position. On the next possession, Memphis pushed the pace in transition. Pippen spotted up and knocked down an open three–pointer.
Gardner, trailing the play, ran directly into Pippen from behind after the shot fell, sending him to the floor. That contact lit the fuse.
After getting up, Pippen ran back on defense and went straight at Gardner. Moments later, he shoved the Miami forward into the front row seats, and the scuffle spilled toward the stands. Players from both teams and coaching staff rushed in to separate the two as the situation escalated.
Both Pippen and Gardner were ejected following the altercation. No other players appeared to leave the bench area, which could help both teams avoid automatic league discipline.
Gardner is in his first NBA season with the Heat. He is averaging 4.1 points in 9.7 minutes across 27 appearances. Before joining Miami, he spent three years developing in the G League with the Osceola Magic.
Pippen recently made his season debut on Feb. 6 after recovering from left toe surgery. The young guard has been working his way back into the Grizzlies rotation.
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