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Scottie Pippen’s Son Faces Punishment After NBA Game Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit K. | Last updated Feb 23, 2026 12:37 PM ET

The NBA has handed down punishment following an altercation between Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner.

NBA Communications announced that both players were fined $35,000 for their roles in the incident. The league said Gardner initiated contact, while Pippen escalated the situation.

The confrontation occurred with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter of the Memphis Grizzlies’ 136-120 loss to the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on Feb. 21. After Pippen drilled a three-pointer, Gardner stepped in from behind and bumped him to the floor. No foul was called on the play.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/B8vmiiWR9Y
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 23, 2026

Pippen then ran down the court and shoved Gardner with both arms. The two players tangled and fell into the courtside seats. Officials quickly intervened, and both were assessed technical fouls and ejected. No other players joined the scuffle.

"I thought it was kind of a cheap shot," Pippen said, via CBS. "He kind of hit me when I didn't see him, so I thought it was a soft move. I just thought he maybe needed a hug at the other end, and that's kind of what happened."

Here's video of the fight between Scotty Pippen Jr. and Myron Gardner (with replays) pic.twitter.com/hNfOBHYRyY
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) February 22, 2026

Pippen, the son of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, is in the second year of a four-year contract worth over $9.6 million. He earns $2.27 million this season and has provided steady guard play for Memphis.

This NBA season, Pippen Jr. is averaging 12.5 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three.

A fight breaks out late in the game between Miami Heat forward Myron Gardner (15) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) at Kaseya Center.Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Memphis sits 21-34 and third in the Southwest Division. The team has battled inconsistency, but Pippen’s growth has added support in the backcourt.

The fine will not affect his role, but it definitley shows' the league’s stance on in-game altercations.

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

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