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Late in the December 29, 2024, matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat, what should have been a routine in-bounds play spiraled into a full-blown on-court altercation. Rockets rookie Amen Thompson grabbed Heat guard Tyler Herro by the jersey and threw him to the floor with 35 seconds remaining, triggering one of the most chaotic scenes in recent NBA games. The incident resulted in multiple ejections, suspensions, and fines and raised questions about what sparked the altercation, how the league responded, and whether deeper rivalries exist.
Below, we break down the timeline, motivations, consequences, and aftermath of the Thompson-Herro incident.
What Triggered Amen Thompson And Tyler Herro’s Altercation?
With the Rockets down 99–94 and just 35.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Heat were about to inbound the ball when Amen Thompson engaged Tyler Herro in what appeared to be standard defensive pressure. However, the sequence escalated quickly. According to official reports, Thompson grabbed Herro’s jersey and body-slammed him to the ground.
Referee Marc Davis later described the act as Thompson “body slams Herro.”
What may have lit the fuse: Herro had just scored 17 of Miami’s second-half points (27 total) and had been teed up numerous times against Thompson’s defensive assignment. Some analysts suggest Thompson’s frustration with being scored on contributed to his aggressive reaction.
Interestingly, cameras captured the Rockets’ bench reacting strongly to the replay, with players even appearing amused — a moment highlighted by video footage showing the Houston Rockets’ bench enjoying the replayof the wild altercation.
It showcased just how chaotic and emotionally charged the sequence became in real time.
When the blow-up occurred, the scene quickly went beyond Thompson and Herro. Players and coaches from both sides got involved. The official count:
Amen Thompson (ejected)Tyler Herro (ejected)Terry Rozier (Heat guard, ejected)Jalen Green (Rockets guard, ejected)Rockets head coach Ime Udoka (ejected)Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan (ejected)
Additionally, earlier in the closing minute, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was ejected for contact with an official, which is widely seen as having helped spark the further tensions.
What Punishments Did The NBA Hand Down For The Altercation?
The league moved swiftly:
Amen Thompson was suspended for two games without pay.Terry Rozier (Heat) was suspended for one game without pay.Tyler Herro was fined $25,000.Jalen Green was fined $35,000.Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was fined $50,000.
Not long after, Tyler Herro seemingly took a subtle jab at Amen Thompson in a social media post — a move that reignited online debates and added a modern twist to a rivalry that may extend well beyond this single game.
How Did Amen Thompson And Tyler Herro React Afterward?
Thompson said the incident was not personal and that he couldn’t recall specific taunts from Herro that triggered him:
“If he did, I don’t know what he said… Just heat of the moment. Intense game,” Houston Chronicle.
Shortly after the clash, Herro broke his silence on the nasty altercation with Amen Thompson — emphasizing that he was just playing his game and didn’t mean to escalate tensions. He said, “Guess that’s what happens when someone’s scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing. I’d get mad, too.”
“Guess that’s what happens when someone’s scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing. I’d get mad, too.”
His comments added fuel to the discussion, especially among Heat and Rockets fans debating who was truly at fault.
Final Take
The Amen Thompson-Tyler Herro altercation was far more than a scuffle — it was a collision of momentum, frustration, and guard vs forward clash in one of the game’s final seconds.
The post Amen Thompson’s Heated Fight With Tyler Herro: The Full Story Behind The Suspensions originally published on Total Pro Sports.