Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and Miami Heat forward Myron Gardner were fined $35,000 by the NBA on Monday after both players engaged in an on-court altercation during Saturday’s game, the league announced.
Gardner was fined for initiating the altercation, per the NBA. Pippen escalated the situation, which led to his fine, per the release.
The incident occurred with roughly two minutes to go in the contest. After Pippen put up a shot, Gardner knocked him down from behind. Pippen jogged back down the court, immediately pointed at Gardner and rushed the Heat forward, shoving him to the ground. An official noticed the altercation immediately, and moved to break it up.
Both teams also ran over to try and stop the fight.
Following the altercation, both Pippen and Gardner were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the contest, which the Heat won 136-120.
Pippen — the son of legendary Chicago Bulls forward and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen — was playing in just his fourth game this season with the Grizzlies. The 25-year-old guard missed most of the year while recovering from a toe procedure. He made his debut Feb. 6 due to the issue. Prior to being ejected, Pippen was enjoying his best game of the season. He finished the contest with 18 points.
Gardner, 24, has mostly played in a reserve role this season, though he started three of the Heat’s past seven games due to various injuries on the roster. Gardner played just over six minutes in Saturday’s win, finishing with six points.
The Grizzlies and Heat are not scheduled to play again in the regular season. The only way the two teams would square off again would be in the NBA Finals, an unlikely scenario considering the Grizzlies are 21-34 entering play Monday.
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