The Brawl that Overshadowed the Game
A heated altercation broke out in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets, resulting in the ejection of seven individuals, including players and coaches from both teams.
The incident began when Tyler Herro was knocked to the ground by Amen Thompson, leading to a confrontation between the two players. The situation quickly escalated, with players and coaches from both benches rushing onto the court.
Herro, Thompson, Jalen Green, Terry Rozier, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan were all ejected from the game, along with Rockets coach Ime Udoka and his assistant, Ben Sullivan.
The Referee’s Account
Main referee Marc Davis provided explanations for each ejection, stating that VanVleet was ejected for intentionally contacting him after being assessed a five-second infraction. Udoka was ejected for unsportsmanlike comments directed at Davis.
VanVleet asked me why he wasn’t given a timeout. I informed him that the five-second count had been reached before he called a timeout. He walked away. Coach Udoka then asked for an explanation. I gave it to him and then VanVleet got involved again and intentionally contacted me.
Davis also explained the ejections of Thompson, Herro, Green, Rozier, and Sullivan, stating that they were all involved in the altercation and engaged in unsportsmanlike behavior.
Thompson grabbed Herro’s shirt and body slammed Herro. He responded and both were ejected for fighting. Green was because his actions escalated the altercation. Rozier because his actions were triggering factors for it. And Sullivan for his unsportsmanlike comments directed at me.
The NBA is expected to issue sanctions to those involved in the altercation, which could result in fines and suspensions for the players and coaches involved.