In a dramatic turn of events, an altercation in the closing minute of the game between the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat resulted in six ejections. The incident occurred as the Heat held a 99-94 lead with 35 seconds left on the clock.
The scuffle began when Rockets forward threw Heat guard Tyler Herro to the floor, sparking a heated exchange between the two players. Referees intervened, with one describing the action as a body slam by the Rockets player.
Following the initial altercation, tensions escalated further as players and coaches from both teams got involved. In total, three players from each team were ejected from the game, including key contributors like Herro and Thompson.
Despite the on-court drama, the Miami Heat managed to secure a 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets. Herro played a pivotal role in the Heat's comeback, finishing the game with 27 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
After the game, Herro expressed his belief that Thompson's frustration stemmed from his performance on the court. The Heat guard emphasized that there was no prior animosity between the two players and attributed the altercation to the competitive nature of the game.
Notably, the win for Miami came on the heels of a loss to the Atlanta Hawks, showcasing the team's resilience in the face of adversity. Despite missing key players like Jimmy Butler, the Heat managed to outlast one of the top teams in the NBA.
Looking ahead, Herro highlighted the importance of building on this victory and continuing to improve as a team. The Heat's performance against a formidable opponent like the Rockets serves as a positive step forward for the team's aspirations this season.
