The Houston Rockets and Miami Heat turned their late December matchup into an explosive affair, with tempers boiling over in a chaotic melee that led to multiple ejections. The drama unfolded at Toyota Center in Houston as the Heat led 99-94 with just over 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The altercation began as Miami prepared to inbound the ball from the sideline. Rockets forward Amen Thompson and Heat guard Tyler Herro became entangled, sparking a heated exchange. Thompson grabbed Herro by his jersey and forcefully slammed him to the ground, escalating the situation instantly.
Heat guard Terry Rozier quickly rushed to Herro’s defense, tackling Thompson, while Rockets star Jalen Green jumped into the fray as players and officials scrambled to separate the parties involved.
The incident was captured from multiple angles, showing the intensity and physicality of the clash. The Rockets’ coaching staff, including head coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan, became involved in the aftermath and were also ejected alongside the players.
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In total, six individuals were removed from the game: Thompson, Herro, Rozier, Green, Udoka, and Sullivan. Just moments before the melee, Rockets veteran Fred VanVleet had been ejected for bumping into referee Marc Davis, further adding to the night’s drama.
Despite the chaos, the Heat managed to maintain their composure and secure a hard-fought 104-100 victory. Herro, who had been at the center of the skirmish, delivered a standout performance, finishing with a game-high 27 points on 10-for-17 shooting, along with 6 rebounds and 9 assists.
Herro also appeared to take the altercation in stride, flashing a smile and calling out to Thompson as he left the court. “Go home, bro, you lost!” he seemed to say, adding a final flourish to an already fiery night.
The game, while marred by the brawl, showcased the intensity of the NBA as teams gear up for the midseason grind.
Both the Rockets and Heat will likely face fines and suspensions, but the game will be remembered for its dramatic conclusion and the fiery passion on display.
