Scotty Pippen Jr. Shows Grizzlies' Grit in Ejection

Pippen Jr.'s scuffle with Myron Gardner highlights the team's need for players who won't back down.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 9:05pm

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Despite the Grizzlies' loss to the Miami Heat, Scotty Pippen Jr. stood out with his fiery performance, getting ejected after a scuffle with Myron Gardner. This incident showcased the type of grit and fight that Grizzlies fans have been craving to see from their team, a quality that could be crucial as the team continues its rebuild.

Why it matters

The Grizzlies have been criticized in the past for lacking the necessary grit and toughness, especially after incidents like the Draymond Green foul on Santi Aldama. Pippen Jr.'s willingness to stand up for himself and his team sends a strong message that the Grizzlies are not going to be pushed around, which could be an important factor as they look to build a winning culture.

The details

In the late stages of the game, Pippen Jr. and Gardner got into a scuffle after a no-call on a rebound. Gardner then delivered a cheap shot to Pippen Jr.'s back after he had hit a 3-pointer, leading to both players being ejected. While Pippen Jr. may have taken it too far, his reaction highlighted the kind of competitive spirit the Grizzlies need more of as they continue their rebuild.

  • The incident occurred late in the Grizzlies' 136-120 loss to the Miami Heat on February 22, 2026.

The players

Scotty Pippen Jr.

A key contributor for the Grizzlies, Pippen Jr. has shown the kind of grit and fight that the team's fanbase has been craving.

Myron Gardner

The Miami Heat player who delivered a cheap shot to Pippen Jr. after a 3-pointer, leading to the scuffle and both players' ejections.

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What they’re saying

“Never seen SPJ like that”

— Matt Infield (Twitter)

What’s next

The Grizzlies will need to continue to prioritize adding players who show the same level of grit and competitiveness as Pippen Jr. in order to build a winning culture and overcome their recent struggles.

The takeaway

Scotty Pippen Jr.'s ejection, while unfortunate, highlighted the kind of competitive spirit and unwillingness to be pushed around that the Grizzlies need more of as they continue their rebuild. This incident could be a turning point in the team's efforts to establish a tougher, grittier identity.