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Erik Spoelstra Reacts to NBA Punishment on Heat Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rolly Gacelo | Last updated Feb 23, 2026 9:28 PM ET

The NBA has announced fines for Myron Gardner of the Miami Heat and Scotty Pippen Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies for their involvement in a fight during Saturday’s game. The league's communications office said the pair will each receive a $35,000 fine for the altercation, which resulted in both players being ejected. Neither player was suspended.

The incident occurred in the final two minutes of the game, when it was already out of the Grizzlies' reach. Pippen Jr. attempted a three-point shot, and Gardner charged at him from the other end of the court, hitting him in the back.

The Grizzlies guard, playing in only his tenth game of the season, confronted Gardner and attacked him, causing both players to fall near the fans' seats. The altercation lasted less than 30 seconds, and the pair were separated by coaches and referees.

Miami Heat guard Myron Gardner reacts after winSam Navarro-Imagn Images

NBA Communications said it was Pippen Jr. who further escalated the incident. The Grizzlies guard said after the game that Gardner took a cheap shot at him, which is why he became angry.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he believed the league was wrong to hand out the same fine to both players, arguing that Gardner did not fight back after being pushed down.

MYRON GARDNER VS PIPPEN FIGHT!!!! pic.twitter.com/Gl6qNZwQOz
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) February 22, 2026

“He’s an easy target, he’s a young player. It’s easy for the league to make a point on this because it went into the stands. But we disagree with it," Spoelstra told reporters during Monday practice.

"Pippen is the one that pushed it into the stands, and Myron didn’t really retaliate. Once he was on the ground, he was laughing. So if it was somebody else, I don’t think it would have been $35,000 fine. But we’ll move on.”

The Heat won that game to extend their winning streak to three. They had a two-day rest and are set to make a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers this week.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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