Houston Rockets ahead Amen Thompson, proper, and Miami Warmth guard Tyler Herro (14) tug on one another earlier than Thompson throws Herro to the court docket sparking a bench clearing brawl leading to a number of ejections for each groups through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photograph/Michael Wyke)
HOUSTON— Rockets ahead Amen Thompson threw Warmth guard Tyler Herro to the ground to set off an altercation that resulted in six ejections within the closing minute of Miami’s 104-100 victory over Houston on Sunday.
Thompson and Herro grew to become entangled with Miami about to inbound the ball main 99-94 with 35 seconds left. Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and tossed him, with referee Marc Davis describing it as Thompson “physique slams Herro.”
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READ: NBA: 7 ejected late in Warmth’s comeback win over Rockets
“I didn’t see it dwell, however I re-watched it,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka stated. “They have been in one another’s face, bumping chests a bit bit, and one man’s stronger than the opposite.”
Herro, Thompson, and Udoka have been ejected, as have been Warmth guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Inexperienced, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan.
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Davis stated Inexperienced and Rozier escalated the altercation, whereas Sullivan was assessed a technical foul and ejected for unsportsmanlike feedback because the referee was attempting to redirect the Rockets’ Alperen Sengun.
Chaos ensues on the finish of Warmth vs. Rockets 😳
4 gamers and two coaches have been ejected after this scuffle. pic.twitter.com/suYWuxrX8B
— ESPN (@espn) December 30, 2024
The altercation occurred after Miami had come from 12 factors down within the second half to regain the lead with the assistance of Houston lacking 11 straight pictures within the fourth quarter. Herro keyed the comeback, main all scorers with 27 factors and including 9 assists and 6 rebounds.
READ: NBA: Tyler Herro saves the day as Warmth stun Magic
He believed that’s what annoyed Thompson.
“Guess that’s what’s occurs when somebody’s scoring, throwing dimes, doing the entire thing,” Herro stated. “I’d get mad, too.”
Herro stated he had by no means spoken to Thompson, who didn’t speak to reporters after Sunday’s recreation, so there was no earlier unhealthy blood between the 2.
“Simply two opponents going at it, taking part in basketball,” Herro stated. “It was a daily recreation that we have been taking part in all through.”
Houston’s Fred VanVleet had been ejected simply earlier than the battle, with Davis saying VanVleet made contact with him after being known as for a 5-second violation.
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The win for Miami got here 24 hours after dropping 120-110 in Atlanta. The Warmth have been lacking second-leading scorer Jimmy Butler for a fifth straight recreation, so Herro was happy with his crew performed towards considered one of NBA’s finest groups this season.
“They’re high two, three within the West,” Herro stated. “Excellent protection. Acquired a bunch of younger, athletic guys that may actually play, in order that’s an excellent win for us. That’s a stepping stone. We go 2-1 on the street. Put ourselves ready to win yesterday, and I like the way it’s going. We simply acquired to proceed to maintain getting higher.”
