An intense altercation marred the closing moments of Miami’s 104-100 victory over Houston, as a scuffle erupted between Rockets forward Amen Thompson and Heat guard Tyler Herro, leading to multiple ejections.
During the final minute of the game, with Miami leading 99-94, tensions boiled over when Thompson tangled with Herro while the ball was about to be inbounded. Referee Marc Davis described the incident as Thompson ‘body slams Herro,’ escalating a volatile situation.
The clash intensified as team benches cleared, resulting in the ejection of Herro, Thompson, and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Others involved in the fracas included Heat guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Davis indicated that Green and Rozier escalated the altercation, while Sullivan was removed for unsportsmanlike comments after he was assessed a technical foul during an attempt to redirect Rockets player Alperen Sengun.
Miami’s comeback from a 12-point deficit in the second half was fueled by Herro’s outstanding performance. He led all scorers with 27 points, complemented by nine assists and six rebounds. Herro remarked on Thompson’s apparent frustration, attributing it to his pivotal role in Miami’s resurgence. ‘Guess that’s what happens when someone’s scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing,’ Herro speculated. Despite the incident, Herro maintained that there was no prior animosity between the two players.
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was also ejected earlier for making contact with referee Davis following a five-second violation. Miami’s victory came after a challenging weekend, having lost to Atlanta 120-110 the previous day. Without their second-leading scorer, Jimmy Butler, for the fifth consecutive game, the Heat managed to secure a win against a formidable opponent in the Western Conference.
Herro expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, recognizing the Rockets as one of the top teams in the West with strong defense and talented young players. He emphasized the significance of the victory as a stepping stone for the Heat, noting their road success and the team’s continued improvement.
The altercation underscored the competitive nature of the match, impacting several players and coaches. Miami’s resilience and decisive play led to a crucial victory, despite the disruption.
Source: News4jax
