Scotty Pippen Jr. calls out Myron Gardner for 'cheap shot' after Grizzlies, Heat players ejected for fight
CBS Sports
by
Carter Bahns
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Scotty Pippen Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies and Myron Gardner of the Miami Heat were ejected from Saturday's game after an altercation that spilled onto the court. The incident began with Gardner making contact with Pippen's backside following a 3-pointer by Pippen, which Pippen described as a "cheap shot." This led to a scuffle where both players tangled on the ground, resulting in their ejections and leaving them to watch the final minutes from the locker rooms.
The game, a Heat win, saw Pippen contributing 18 points off the bench for Memphis, who are struggling with five losses in six games. Gardner played briefly but was part of a Heat team leading the Southeast Division. After the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra supported Gardner, emphasizing his intensity and competitive spirit, while Pippen downplayed the incident, suggesting it wasn't severe enough to warrant further discipline beyond ejections.
This incident highlights the high-stakes nature of NBA games and the potential for emotions to boil over. Such altercations are significant as they can impact team dynamics, player discipline, and league decisions. For sports readers, this story underscores the competitive intensity in professional basketball and the consequences that arise from on-court skirmishes.
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/22/2026