Grizzlies Vs Heat: Scotty Pippen Jr. ejected after furious brawl over 'cheap shot' in Miami loss

The latest chapter in the Grizzlies Vs Heat matchup ended with a physical altercation that overshadowed the final score: Memphis fell in Miami and Scotty Pippen Jr. was ejected after charging at Heat forward Myron Gardner over what Pippen described as a cheap shot. The incident raises immediate questions about potential discipline, Pippen's availability for the next game, and how both teams will handle the aftermath amid differing public reactions.

Grizzlies Vs Heat: How the altercation unfolded

Memphis appeared to be trailing late when Scotty Pippen Jr. was knocked to the hardwood by Myron Gardner after taking a late 3-pointer in Miami's 134-113 win. Incredulous at the lack of a whistle, Pippen rose and stormed down the court seeking Gardner. What began like a verbal confrontation—Pippen initially pointing his index finger—escalated into a physical exchange: Pippen wrapped both hands around Gardner's neck and shoulders and shoved him into the first row at Miami's Kaseya Center. The two tumbled to the floor and wrestled briefly before teammates and staff separated them and both players were ejected.

Players involved: Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner

Scotty Pippen Jr., 25, has returned to action this season after toe surgery in October and is in his fourth NBA season. In the game he finished with 18 points, six assists and two steals in 20 minutes, numbers that team and league officials may nonetheless set aside given the incident. Myron Gardner, 24, is described as a journeyman who had been involved in prior on-court verbal altercations with players including Klay Thompson. Gardner had a two-way contract that has since become a guaranteed standard one.

Pippen is also the son of Scottie Pippen and Larsa Pippen; he attended Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale from kindergarten through 10th grade. Those biographical details surfaced in postgame discussions as attention turned quickly from the box score to the bench-clearing moment.

What players and fans are saying

Reactions have been split along team lines. Heat fans argued Pippen started the confrontation by tangling with Gardner on a rebound, while Grizzlies supporters pointed to what they describe as a blindside back pick and a late, hard contact after Pippen's shot. Pippen himself called the contact a cheap shot, said he didn’t see Gardner hit him, and characterized his response as an effort to give Gardner a hug. He said he did not expect a fine or suspension and noted that he did not believe punches were thrown. He also said the play was physical, that he took a three, got hit afterward and sought to address it when he felt officials did not see the sequence.

Discipline and roster implications

Both players were ejected from the game, and the league’s disciplinary process could review the incident. League discipline could affect playing time: Pippen Jr. 's availability for the next game may hinge on how the league evaluates his two-handed contact described by Pippen as a 'hug. ' Beyond any immediate suspensions or fines, the episode comes as Memphis is experimenting with different players and lineups while soft-tanking to the finish of the season. Pippen’s recent healthy return has been viewed as a welcome boost as he competes with a glut of guards for a future role in the rotation.

Standings context and what’s next

The loss kept the Grizzlies in a position noted as 21-34 for the season, a record described as effectively calling it quits on the 2025-26 campaign. The Heat sit at 31-27 and are seventh in the Eastern Conference, in a spot where improving to sixth would lift them out of the play-in tournament. Both teams now face the immediate task of dealing with fallout from the altercation—potential fines or suspensions for the involved players and some teammates—and returning focus to the remaining schedule.

Details from the league review and any penalties are unclear in the provided context and may evolve. For now, the game will be remembered less for scoring lines and more for the brawl that followed a late three and a perceived cheap shot.