Rockets, Heat derailed late after Thompson throws Herro to floor

A fight broke out during the final minute of the Miami Heat's 104-100 win over the Houston Rockets after Amen Thompson grabbed Tyler Herro's jersey and threw him to the ground.

Thompson approached Herro in the Heat's backcourt as Miami prepared to inbound the ball while up five with 35.7 seconds left. The two appeared to exchange words before getting tangled up. Thompson then whipped Herro to the court by Miami's bench, sparking an altercation involving multiple players.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, assistant coach Ben Sullivan, Jalen Green, and Thompson were all ejected in the aftermath. Heat guard Terry Rozier, who pounced on Thompson immediately after Herro was flung, was ejected alongside Herro for Miami.

Herro, finishing with game highs of 27 points and nine assists, suggested that his play frustrated Thompson.

"I guess that's what happens when someone is scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing," said Herro, who also had six rebounds in the contest, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

"I'd get mad, too.”

Udoka kept his assessment of the incident brief.

"They were in each other's faces, bumping chests a little bit. One guy is stronger than the other," Houston's head coach said, per Rockets reporter Vanessa Richardson.

Just over 10 seconds of game time prior, Houston lost Fred VanVleet to a separate ejection after he bumped into referee Marc Davis while disagreeing with a call.

VanVleet said postgame he inadvertently walked into Davis and hopes to avoid suspension, according to Adam Spolane of SportsRadio610.