Grizzlies Vs Heat scuffle: Scotty Pippen Jr. shoved Myron Gardner after 'cheap shot' in Miami

In the latest grizzlies vs heat meeting, Scotty Pippen Jr. charged down the court and grabbed Myron Gardner after what he called a "cheap shot, " touching off a scrum that ended with both players ejected and left the Heat with a 134-113 win on Feb. 22, 2026.

What happened on the play

Late in the game at Miami's Kaseya Center, Myron Gardner knocked Scotty Pippen Jr. to the hardwood after Pippen Jr. took a late 3-pointer, and video of the sequence shows Pippen Jr. charging toward Gardner. Pippen Jr. initially appeared poised to yell but then wrapped both hands around Gardner's neck and shoulders and shoved him into the first row. Both players tumbled to the floor, wrestled briefly, were peeled apart and were ejected.

Grizzlies Vs Heat: crowd reaction and social media split

Fans and social posts quickly divided. Heat supporters argued that Pippen Jr. started the incident by tangling with Gardner on a rebound, while Grizzlies fans pointed to what they called Gardner's blindside back pick. Social media clips and posts captured the ejections and the ensuing pileup of players around the rim.

What the players said in the locker room

Pippen Jr. described his response to the contact as a reaction to being hit from behind: "I thought it was kind of a cheap shot, he kind of hit me when I didn't see him, " he said. He repeatedly characterized his grab as a hug and added, "I was just trying to show him some love. " He also said he didn't expect a fine or suspension and that "I don't think any punches were thrown. " One postgame comment framed the on-court grappling as not wrestling: "I wouldn't consider it wrestling... I feel like it was just a hug. "

Discipline and the league's possible review

Both Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner were ejected on the play, and the commissioner's office could issue fines or suspensions to the players involved as well as to some teammates who joined the altercation. It is possible that Pippen Jr. 's playing time will be in the NBA's hands for the next game, depending on how the league views his actions.

Stats, backgrounds and team context

Pippen Jr. had a strong night statistically, finishing with 18 points, six assists and two steals in 20 minutes, though those numbers will likely be secondary to the ejection. The 25-year-old is the son of Scottie Pippen and Larsa; he attended Pine Crest School in nearby Fort Lauderdale from kindergarten through 10th grade. He had toe surgery in October and had only recently returned to action. For his career, he averages 10. 1 points per game and has a 40. 2 percent mark from 3-point range. Gardner is 24 years old and has drawn attention around the league for past verbal altercations with players such as Klay Thompson; Gardner moved from a two-way contract to a guaranteed standard contract earlier in his time with Miami.

The loss left the Grizzlies at 21-34, a record noted as effectively conceding the season, while the Heat improved to 31-27 and sat seventh in the Eastern Conference, with the potential to climb to sixth and move out of the play-in slot by improving their record.

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League discipline and the outcome of any commissioner's office review are the next confirmed items to watch: both players could face fines or suspensions, and the NBA's determination could affect Pippen Jr. 's availability for the team's next game.