BBNBA: Tyler Herro gets into a fight, SGA goes for 30+ once again

ZGeogheganKSR

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) handles the ball against Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center - Erik Williams, Imagn Images

All was quiet on Sunday night in the NBA, until Tyler Herro and Amen Thompson got into each other’s faces, wrestled each other into the ground, and sparked the closest thing you’ll see to a brawl on the hardwood without it being an actual brawl.

Let’s step back and set the scene real quick… There are under 40 seconds left in a relatively close game where the Miami Heat (leading 99-94 at the time) are on the verge of pulling out the tight win. Miami is trying to inbound the ball and lock up the victory. Thompson for the Houston Rockets is defending Herro. Thompson locks into Herro’s jersey and the two spin around for a moment before they toss each other into the ground. All hell breaks loose from there as players and coaches from both benches converge. Herro actually escapes immediately and bounces around the wrestling ring before having to be held back by Heat staffers.

Herro and Thompson were two of six people ejected after the officials cleaned up the mess. Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka, and assistant coach Ben Sullivan were all ejected, as was Heat guard Terry Rozier. Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was thrown out moments before for a separate incident after bumping into a referee. Miami would go on to seal the win 104-100.

Amen Thompson and Tyler Herro fight 👀 pic.twitter.com/VGp1KBXzJH
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 30, 2024

Herro and Miami had the last laugh. The former Kentucky guard finished with 27 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in his 37 minutes before being kicked out of the game. His jumper with just under two minutes to go put the Heat on top for good.

“Just a physical game,” Herro said postgame, taking a few seconds to think about what he was going to say next. “Guess that’s what happens when someone is scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing. I’d get mad too.“

Herro certainly isn’t short on confidence, I’ll give him that. His game sure has been extra confident this season, too. It might be time for us to discuss him as an All-Star candidate. Herro is having his best season yet in year six, averaging 24 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 35.2 minutes per outing. He’s shooting career-highs from the field (47.6 percent) and beyond the arc (41 percent). He’s been Miami’s best player so far this season on a team that features Jimmy Butler.

Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

He had some help on Sunday though. Heat teammate Bam Adebayo went for 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals but on just 4-12 shooting overall. On the other side of the floor, Houston rookie Reed Sheppard was ruled a DNP-Coach’s Decision for the third time this season.

Another 30-burger for SGA

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to do nothing but get buckets as the best player on the NBA’s best team. He went for 30-plus once again in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 130-106 win over the Memphis Grizzlies last night, finishing with 35 points (14-19 FG), seven assists, six rebounds, and four blocks with just one turnover in only 28 minutes of play. He sat most of the fourth quarter in the blowout.

Also for OKC, second-year guard Cason Wallace was a starter for the 10th time out of his last 12 games played. He chipped in five points (2-5 FG), three assists, two steals, and one rebound in his 31 minutes.

Sunday marked Gilgeous-Alexander’s 17th 30-point game of the season; he has just 14 outings with under 30 points. OKC has now won 11 straight and holds a 26-5 record. SGA continues to gain ground in the still way-too-early MVP race. Basketball-Reference still has him in second but now with a 38.6 percent chance to win MVP. Denver’s Nikola Jokic barely remains in first with a 40.0 percent chance.

Other BBNBA notes

Julius Randle posted 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves took down Keldon Johnson and the San Antonio Spurs, 112-110. Johnson recorded 13 points (5-11) and six assists, although he missed all five of his shots from deep. Minnesota rookie Rob Dillingham was ruled out due to an ankle injury.

12/29/24 statistics

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-	MIN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)	130-106 W vs. MEM	35	14-19 (1-5)	6	7	1	4	1	27	28
Tyler Herro (MIA)	104-100 W @ HOU	27	10-17 (3-7)	6	9	0	0	3	13	37
Julius Randle (MIN)	112-110 W vs. SAS	16	7-16 (0-7)	4	4	0	0	1	-9	34
Keldon Johnson (SAS)	112-110 L @ MIN	13	5-11 (0-5)	6	0	0	0	0	-17	17
Bam Adebayo (MIA)	104-100 W @ HOU	12	4-12 (0-1)	10	1	3	0	2	-1	34
Cason Wallace (OKC)	130-106 W vs. MEM	5	2-5 (1-2)	1	3	2	0	1	7	31
Immanuel Quickley (TOR)	136-107 L vs. ATL	DNP-Elbow	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Reed Sheppard (HOU)	104-100 L vs. MIA	DNP-CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Rob Dillingham (MIN)	112-110 W vs. SAS	DNP-Ankle	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Isaiah Jackson (IND)	123-114 W @ BOS	DNP-Achilles	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—