The NBA has issued discipline following a heated incident in Miami, fining both Myron Gardner and Scotty Pippen Jr. $35,000 each for their roles in an on-court altercation.
Per Yardbarker, the league announced the penalties on Monday, February 23, confirming that while both players were fined, neither received a suspension.
The incident occurred with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Miami Heat’s 136-120 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. According to the league’s findings, Myron Gardner initiated the sequence by making contact with Scotty Pippen Jr. from behind, which caused Pippen to fall to the floor.
Pippen then shoved Gardner, escalating the situation.
Officials assessed technical fouls to both players, and each was ejected from the game. Players and coaching staff from both teams stepped in quickly, separating the two before the situation progressed further.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Pippen addressed the play that led to the altercation.
“I thought it was kind of a cheap shot,” he said. “He kind of hit me from when I didn’t see him. So I thought it was a soft move.”
The exchange was the result of mounting tension between the two during multiple possessions leading up to the incident. Earlier in the sequence, Gardner delivered a physical box-out while the two battled for a rebound. Pippen responded by pulling him away from the play.
On the following possession, Pippen connected on a three-pointer in transition. As the shot went down, Gardner made contact from behind, which led directly to the confrontation.
Pippen then approached Gardner on the next play and shoved him, sending both players toward the front row as the altercation spilled off the court.
Despite the escalation, no additional players were penalized, and there were no reports of bench players leaving their designated area—an action that can trigger automatic suspensions under NBA rules.
Gardner is in his first NBA season with Miami, appearing in a limited role after time in the G League. Pippen, currently with Memphis, returned earlier this month after recovering from left toe surgery and has been working back into the rotation.