Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of seven people ejected, six for their role in a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets in a brawl in which numerous members of both teams were involved.
Herro was knocked down by Amen Thompson of the Rockets with just 35 seconds left and the Heat winning 94-99. The two squared up and the tension led to players and coaches from both benches then flocking onto the court.
Both players were ejected along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, Houston coach Ime Udoka and his assistant Ben Sullivan. In addition, Terry Rozier was also ejected for Miami.
Amen Thompson collides with Tyler Herro in the action that led to a fight
Physical contact with the referee
Herro’s jump shot with 1:56 remaining gave the Heat a lead they would not relinquish until the end. VanVleet was ejected in the final minute for making physical contact with referee Marc Davis, upset at being called for a 5-second violation that preceded the fight with Thompson, Herro and others.
Moment when Amen Thompson (Rockets) and Tyler Herro (Heat) faced each other
The main referee of the game, Marc Davis, gave explanations of each and every one of the expulsions at the end of the game in response to an interview with journalist Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
The referee explains the red cards
Davis justified Fred VanVleet’s ejection: “After the five-second infraction, which was correctly assessed, VanVleet asked me why he was not granted a timeout. I communicated to him that the five-second count had been reached before he requested the timeout. He walked away. Coach Udoka then asked for an explanation. I gave it to him and then VanVleet re-engaged and intentionally contacted me and was ejected as per the rules.”
Coach Udoka asked me for an explanation. I gave it to him and then VanVleet got involved again and contacted me intentionally. He was ejected according to the rules
Also that of Ime Udoka, the Rockets’ coach: “At the conclusion of the altercation, coach Udoka is ejected as per the rules for unsportsmanlike comments directed towards me“.
Nikola Jovic celebrates scoring two points
And regarding the ejections of Amen Thompson, Tyler Herro, Jalen Green, Terry Rozier and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan, the referee was also very clear: “Thompson grabbed Herro’s jersey and body-slammed him. Herro responded and both were ejected for fighting fouls. Green was ejected because his actions escalated the altercation. Rozier also because his actions were triggering factors in the altercation. And assistant coach Sullivan received a technical foul and was ejected for unsportsmanlike comments directed at me when I was trying to redirect Sengun.”
Thompson grabbed Herro by the shirt and body-slammed him, Herro responded and they were ejected. Green was ejected because his actions escalated the altercation. Rozier because his actions were triggering factors in the altercation. And Sullivan for his unsportsmanlike comments directed at me
Davis also does not believe that Jalen Green or Terry Rozier tried to mediate and calm the situation before their respective expulsions. Now the NBA is expected to issue the sanctions it applies, surely throughout the day, to some of those involved. But it is certain that several will have to scratch their pockets for their unsportsmanlike behavior in a new fight that damages the image of the league. And the NBA usually acts with a heavy hand in these cases.
