(Video) Massive Brawl Erupts in NBA Game Involving Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies

Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner were ejected after late-game altercation in Heat vs. Grizzlies matchup.

(Video) Massive Brawl Erupts in NBA Game Involving Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies

Massive brawl erupted in an NBA game (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • A massive brawl erupted between Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner during the Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies game.
  • The altercation led to both players being ejected with just over a minute left in the game, which the Heat won 136-120.
  • Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra criticized Pippen Jr. for the incident, while Pippen claimed he was retaliating to a cheap shot.

Heading towards the end of the match and with both teams clearing out their benches, a heated altercation took place between Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner. It was a clash that saw the Miami Heat dominate throughout the game as they registered a convincing 136-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Kaseya Center.

The win extended the Heat’s winning streak to three games as they continue their impressive form on home court. They have climbed to the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 31-27 record. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies sit at 11th place in the Western Conference standings and dropped to 21-34 for the season.

Both teams were mentioned several times before the trade deadline. Grizzlies were open to listen to offers for their star guard Ja Morant. While Morant reiterated his desire to stay in Memphis, there were reports that he may join the Heat at the deadline. However, no move materialized in the end, and Morant stayed put. The former number two pick was ruled out for Saturday’s matchup due to injury.

Basketball games can get heated. Before the All-Star weekend, the NBA saw a wild altercation during a match between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets. It ended with Moussa Diabate and Isaiah Stewart from the Pistons and Jalen Duren and Miles Bridges from the Hornets getting suspended for four games.

On Saturday night, things reached a boiling point during the Grizzlies-Heat showdown. With just 1:19 remaining in the fourth quarter and the game well out of reach, Grizzlies guard Scottie Pippen Jr. and Heat forward Myron Gardner were both ejected after a physical altercation spilled into the front row.

It all started when Gardner took a cheap shot from behind after Pippen Jr. missed a three-pointer. Pippen Jr. did not take it well and charged at the Heat player with vengeance. The two briefly wrestled on the floor before coaches and officials could separate them.

With multiple ejections and the optics of swinging/chasing, this is the type of play the NBA reviews quickly after the game.

NBA fans react to heated altercation between Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner

This is not the first time this season that an altercation has escalated to punches and shoving during a game and it certainly won’t be the last. But when such incidents take place, it does not take long to go viral.

NBA fans did not waste any time reacting to the massive brawl across social media.

Most fans felt that Pippen Jr.’s reaction was valid and expected, considering the cheap shot from Gardner, who did not even get fouled for what he did. The NBA are expected to issue a statement very soon.

Erik Spoelstra gives his perspective on Myron Gardner-Scotty Pippen Jr. fight

The fourth quarter saw both players get ejected. With everything that unfolded, it remains to be seen if the players involved face a lengthy suspension.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra blamed Pippen Jr. for the altercation. While Pippen Jr. claimed he was retaliating to a “soft”, cheap shot, Spoelstra was not buying that narrative.

Erik Spoelstra
Erik Spoelstra (Image credits – ESPN)

I don’t know what happened on the three-point shot. I just saw Pippen fall. I just saw the play after that and that looked like 95% Pippen. Let’s just see what it is. I love Myron regardless.

It was expected from Spoelstra to come out in defense and protect his player. But to Memphis, it was started by Gardner’s cheap shot, and it was a justified reaction to a dirty play from Pippen Jr.

Also Read: