"Poorest excuse ever for animal behavior" - Fans blast Ime Udoka for bizarre justification of Amen Thompson-Tyler Herro fight 

Houston Rockets wing Amen Thompson and Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro engaged in a late-game altercation on Sunday, igniting an extensive scuffle. The incident resulted in six player and coach ejections, with Rockets coach Ime Udoka's postgame reflection drawing NBA fans' ire.

With Miami leading 99-94 with 35.7 seconds remaining, Thompson and Herro got tangled up during an inbounds play. After exchanging words face-to-face, Thompson slammed Herro to the ground, kickstarting a brawl between their squads.

The duo was ejected, along with Udoka, Rockets wing Jalen Green and assistant coach Ben Sullivan, and Heat veteran guard Terry Rozier.

Miami ultimately held on for a 104-100 road victory in Herro's absence. After the contest, Udoka boiled down the skirmish to the 6-foot-7, 209-pound Thompson simply outmuscling the 6-5, 195-pound Herro.

"I didn't see it live, but I rewatched it, and they were in each other's faces, bumping chests a little bit. One guy is stronger than the other," Udoka said.

Fans on X/Twitter didn't take too kindly to Udoka's comments. Many blasted the third-year coach for seemingly empowering his players to pick fights.

"Poorest excuse ever for animal behavior," @MerlG_Official said.

"Bro, what kind of coach says this?" @Phin_Diesel_ wrote.

"You're not a real coach, you don't even have your own emotions in check," @BGL1991 said.

"Ime is as childish as his team. Makes sense. The Heat own this guy and that poverty trash franchise," @AustinHeff wrote.

Meanwhile, others remarked on Houston being unable to stop Herro, who tallied a game-high 27 points, six rebounds, nine assists and three 3-pointers, shooting 58.8%.

"One guy cooked your whole team. Worst answer ever, but we know he has no morals," @jay4774 wrote.

"The stronger one couldn't stop the soft one all night," @gregDaMan1 said.

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Tyler Herro takes shot at Amen Thompson following scuffle

During his postgame interview, Tyler Herro attributed Sunday's brawl to Houston's defense being unable to slow him down. He also quipped that he could sympathize with Amen Thompson, who finished the evening with just five points across 32 minutes.

"Just two competitors going at it, playing basketball," Herro said. "... Just a physical game. Guess that's what happens when someone's scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing. So, I'd get mad too."

The Heat (16-14) and Rockets (21-11) match up once more this season on March 21 in Miami. Given Sunday's showdown's controversial ending, emotions will likely run high on both sides during their rematch.

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