The NBA handed down two suspensions and three fines Tuesday to Miami Heat and Houston Rockets players and coaches for their roles in Sunday night’s on-court altercation between the teams.
Rockets guard Amen Thompson, who started the altercation by slamming Heat guard Tyler Herro to the ground, received a two-game suspension. The NBA issued a one-game suspension to Heat guard Terry Rozier for his role in the fracas.
Houston coach Ime Udoka received the largest fine of $50,000 “for verbal abuse of a game official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner,” the NBA said. Houston guard Jalen Green was fined $35,000, and Herro was given a $25,000 fine.
The fight began in the final minute of the team’s game Sunday night when Thompson and Herro began bumping each other. The situation intensified when Thompson grabbed Herro’s jersey and threw him to the ground. Thompson, Green, Udoka, Rozier and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan were ejected from the contest. Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was ejected in the previous play for arguing about a five-second call.
VanVleet was issued a $35,000 fine as well Tuesday for making contact with official Mark Davis, which led to his ejection.
According to the NBA, Green and Rozier were guilty of escalating the situation.
The Rockets will be without Thompson for their upcoming games against the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics, while the Heat will play Wednesday without Rozier against the New Orleans Pelicans.
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