Heat coach Erik Spoelstra points to Pippen's actions after a no-call for escalating the on-court fight, leading to both players' ejections.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ 136-120 loss against the Miami Heat on Saturday night concluded with a fourth-quarter incident that drew immediate attention and resulted in the ejections of Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner.
The altercation unfolded inside the final two minutes at Kaseya Center. With 1:59 remaining, Pippen converted a transition three-pointer. As the ball dropped through the net, Gardner made contact from behind, sending Pippen to the floor. Officials did not assess a foul on the play.
The sequence followed a physical exchange on the prior possession in which both players battled for rebounding position and ended up on the court.
After remaining down momentarily and speaking with game officials, Pippen rose and advanced up the floor on the ensuing possession. Near the corner beyond the arc, the confrontation escalated and carried both players into the front row. Teammates and staff from both teams quickly intervened as order was restored.
Officials assessed double ejections with 1:55 left in regulation. No additional Memphis players left the bench area during the incident.
Miami closed out the final stretch to secure the 16-point result.
Following the game, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra addressed the situation. While noting he did not see the initial contact clearly, Spoelstra offered firm support for Gardner.
“We love Myron,” Spoelstra said. “I don’t know what happened on the 3-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.”
Pippen acknowledged his reaction stemmed from frustration over the no-call on the perimeter attempt.
“I got hit from behind on the three, and there was no call,” Pippen said. “I was frustrated. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did, but in the moment, it got heated.”
Saturday marked one of Pippen’s early appearances since returning from left toe surgery. He made his season debut on Feb. 6 and is averaging 10.7 points and 4.3 assists through three games this season while shooting 50.0% from the field.
Gardner, in his first NBA campaign, has appeared in 27 games and is averaging 4.1 points in 9.7 minutes per outing.
The league office is expected to evaluate the play in accordance with standard review procedures. Any determination regarding supplemental discipline will be announced by the NBA.
Memphis will shift its focus toward its upcoming schedule as it looks to regroup following Saturday’s result.