On a night where everyone is probably awaiting to tune in to the Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios fight, the NBA had another fight night of its own.
A scuffle broke between the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat with 1:55 left the contest as the Heat led 134-113. The Heat went on to win, 135-120.
Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. charged at Heat forward Myron Gardner after Pippen had just missed a shot and was walking back and never saw Gardner coming as he knocked Pippen down with a push in the back, setting an off-ball screen.
Pippen walked Gardner down, pointed at him and apparently said something before shoving him in the chest and face. Gardner retaliated, grabbing Pippen, as they pulled each other to the floor near courtside seats.
Both players were ejected from the contest.
After the game, Pippen told reporters that he thought Gardner took a ‘cheap shot’ and jokingly said he needed a ‘hug.’
‘I thought it was kind of a cheap shot. He kind of hit me when I didn’t see him,’ Pippen said. ‘I thought it was a soft move. I just thought he needed a hug on the other end.’
Pippen ended the game with 18 points off the bench. He shot 7-of-15 from the field, including making three from deep. He added six assists, two steals and a block in 21 minutes.
Gardner only played six minutes in the ball games, scoring five points.
Social media reactions to the fight
Here’s how basketball fans on social media reacted to the fight.