The New Orleans Pelicans home game against the Miami Heat on Friday quickly descended into chaos during the fourth quarter. Players from both the Pelicans and Heat bench got involved in the fight that began when Kevin Love seemingly fouled Zion Williamson intentionally. Naji Marshall came over to defend Williamson and that was when he got into it with Jimmy Butler. Predictably, social media blew up with fans weighing in with their response to the altercation.
In the middle of the Pelicans & Heat brawl, Thomas Bryant 6'10" tried to fight Jose Alvarado 6'0" pic.twitter.com/RX2eG87AUu
— Mr. Gif (@MrGif214) February 24, 2024
The Heat always getting ready to fight someone but never do shit.
How much you want to bet they try to get into the pelicans locker room after this game lol https://t.co/gLBVbt3yXy
— EJ 🇺🇸 (@itsmine49) February 24, 2024
Best fight of the year. Jimmy and Jaime charging into the entire Pelicans team. Jose sucker punching Bryant. Heat fan ejected. That was great
— ChildishBrandino (@H0W3L) February 24, 2024
Bruh the Heat Vs Pelicans fight was 100% the refs fault bro. Why is it that some games U call a lot of fouls and others you let them play on? Just ref the game right bro, whole ass season the reffing has been trash
— Rich SA (@rahdditz) February 24, 2024
Game was over when the Pelicans tried to fight the Heat. You never fight the Heat.
— Jordan Kroeger (@ByJordanKroeger) February 24, 2024
Def like the Pelicans to beat the Heat in a fight lol
— CK 10 (@Katdaddy23) February 24, 2024
wish the heat would’ve picked a cooler team to fight but the pelicans will do
— syd (@ssydnerellaa) February 24, 2024
The fight between the Pelicans and Heat had seemed to have calmed down with Jimmy Butler and Naji Marshall already separated when the Pelicans' Jose Alvarado and the Heat's Thomas Bryant reignited emotions while at the scorer's table.
Following the entire drama, Jimmy Butler, Jose Alvarado, Naji Marshall and Thomas Bryant were all ejected. A fan was also ejected for attempting to throw objects at the players. Looking back on what started the incident, the Pelicans had a right to take issue with Kevin Love's hard foul on Zion Williamson. It didn't appear as if he made a play on the ball, he just looked to foul him.
After the ejections and once gameplay resumed, the Heat were able to pull off the win, 106-95, despite the loss of their star player. The NBA is most likely going to issue fines and suspensions this weekend. The loss dropped the Pelicans to 34-23 and the Heat improved to 31-25 with the win. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in their respective conference standings.