Overview
- The NBA announced Monday that both players were fined $35,000 for their roles in a late fourth-quarter altercation in Miami, with no additional suspensions issued.
- Video and league findings indicate Gardner bumped Pippen from behind after a made three, after which Pippen sought him out and delivered a forceful shove toward the sideline seats.
- Both were assessed technical fouls and ejected with 1:55 remaining in the Heat’s 136-120 win at Kaseya Center.
- Pippen called Gardner’s hit a cheap shot and downplayed the tussle as a “hug,” saying he did not expect further punishment beyond the ejection.
- Heat coach Erik Spoelstra defended Gardner and later questioned the fine, while Gardner said the contact came as he was running back on defense and indicated he will move on.